Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist
Cecile Schoberle
Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Visit to the Dentist
by Cecile Schoberle
Illustrated by Barry Goldberg
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
Angelica and Susie sit in the big dentist chair, their mouths wide open, feeling the tickle of the toothbrush and the buzz of the little drill. Suddenly, Dr. Pearlies shows them a magic floss trick that makes their teeth sparkle. But just when they think the visit is over, something surprising happens!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader follows Angelica and Susie on their first visit to the dentist, where they learn important dental hygiene skills like flossing and brushing. The story is gently paced with colorful illustrations, making it suitable for children ages 5 to 8 who are preparing for their own dental checkups. There is no intense content, making it a reassuring introduction to visiting the dentist.
Why we rated Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist 7C
Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist 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, Open Wide! A Visit to the Dentist explores health & daily living, children: kindergarten, children: grades 1-2, friendship, 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 health & daily living, children: kindergarten, children: grades 1-2.
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
- 9780689825705
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Simon Spotlight
- Published
- January 1, 2000
- Type
- Fiction