See what I'm saying
Myra F. Levick
See what I'm saying
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
What Children Tell Us Through Their Art
by Myra F. Levick
The text is written at a 4th 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
The scratch of crayons on paper fills the room, colors swirling into shapes and stories only you can see. Each drawing whispers secrets about feelings and thoughts hidden inside. What might your own artwork be trying to tell you?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores how children's drawings can reveal important insights into their emotional and intellectual development. Written by art therapy expert Myra F. Levick, it offers practical guidance for understanding and supporting children's psychological health through their art. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it gently introduces concepts of child psychology and development.
Why we rated See what I'm saying 9LE
See what I'm saying is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, See what I'm saying works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate See what I'm saying as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, See what I'm saying explores child development, psychology, art therapy, and emotional health — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about child development, psychology, art therapy.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
- 9781888461046
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Islewest Pub.
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Nonfiction