Our Great Big Backyard
Laura Bush
Our Great Big Backyard
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laura Bush
The text is written at a 1st 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
The fresh scent of pine fills the air, and the soft crunch of leaves whispers underfoot. Imagine stepping into a world where every trail leads to a new adventure, and the sun warms your face as you explore nature’s wonders. There’s magic waiting just beyond the trees, inviting you to discover the great big backyard we all share.
Quick Assessment
Celebrating the centennial of the National Parks Service, this beautifully illustrated book by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager introduces young readers to the wonders of America's national parks. Designed for early readers ages 5-8, it combines engaging storytelling with educational themes about nature, family, and summer adventures. The gentle narrative and vivid imagery make it a perfect introduction to environmental appreciation and outdoor exploration.
Why we rated Our Great Big Backyard 6C
Our Great Big Backyard is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 40 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Our Great Big Backyard works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Our Great Big Backyard as 6C ("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, Our Great Big Backyard explores family, national parks and reserves, summer, vacations, and children's fiction — 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 family, national parks and reserves, summer.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781536439144
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction