Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale)
Ann Parchem
Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
(a Whale of a Counting Tale)
by Ann Parchem
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if a whale decided to help you learn to count in the most splashy, fun way imaginable? Imagine diving into a giant sea adventure where numbers come to life with every flip of the page. But can Mr. Tickleweed keep the counting fun going before the big wave crashes?
Quick Assessment
Mr. Tickleweed: A Whale of a Counting Tale is a whimsical middle-grade fiction book that introduces children ages 9-12 to counting through an engaging sea-themed story. The book combines imaginative storytelling with educational content, making it suitable for children who enjoy both adventure and learning. There is no content that requires special caution, and the reading level is appropriate for grade 5 students.
Why we rated Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale) 10C
Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale) is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale) works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale) as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Mr. Tickleweed : (a Whale of a Counting Tale) explores adventure, science & nature, friendship, and humor — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, science & nature, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9781638126553
- Publisher
- Pen Culture Solutions
- Published
- 2023
- Type
- Fiction