One wide river to cross
Barbara Emberley
One wide river to cross
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barbara Emberley
Illustrated by Emberley, Ed, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Splash! The animals rush aboard the ark as the rain pours down. Elephant trumpets, frogs croak, and hooves patter—everyone's trying to find their place, but what will happen when the waters start rising?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This beautifully illustrated book retells the classic story of Noah's ark through simple text and woodcut art, inspired by an American folk song. Designed for early readers aged 5-8, it introduces themes of animals and music while encouraging engagement with traditional storytelling. The content is gentle and suitable for young children, with no intense or frightening scenes.
Why we rated One wide river to cross 7C
One wide river to cross is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, One wide river to cross works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate One wide river to cross as 7C ("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, One wide river to cross explores animals, songs and music, folk tales, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about animals, songs and music, folk tales.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781623260590
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Ammo Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction