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Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders

Mary Chalmers

Cover of Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders

Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Mary Chalmers

Reading Level 2 7C Ages 5-8 Matched

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

The soft pitter-patter of paws and the quiet rustle of tiny feet fill the air. Annie’s house buzzes with the chatter of her 190 pets — dogs, cats, mice, and even spiders — all trying to stay out of the company room. But when her friend Priscilla visits, will Annie’s furry and scurrying friends manage to keep the peace?

Themes

Quick Assessment

This charming early reader explores the challenges of managing a large group of pets and the importance of friendship and consideration for others. Suitable for ages 5-8, it highlights themes of responsibility and kindness in a light, humorous way without any content concerns.

Why we rated Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders 7C

Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders 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, Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders works for readers up to grade 4.0.

We rate Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders 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, Six dogs, twenty-three cats, forty-five mice, and one hundred sixteen spiders weaves together pets and friendship.

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 pets, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

7C — Clear
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
2
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
2
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

32 pages
ISBN
0060211881
Pages
32
Publisher
Harpercollins Childrens Books
Published
1986
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

PetsFriendship