Sticky
Anna Doherty
Sticky
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anna Doherty
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
What if a simple birthday gift could turn into a super sticky adventure? Badger’s wrapping job goes hilariously wrong when the tape just won’t let go! Can anyone help Badger get unstuck before the birthday surprise turns into a birthday mess?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Sticky is a charming and humorous picture book perfect for early readers aged 5-8. It tells the story of Badger’s sticky mishap while wrapping Owl’s birthday present, encouraging problem-solving and empathy through gentle humor. The content is light and age-appropriate, with themes of friendship and social interaction.
Why we rated Sticky 7C
Sticky 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, Sticky works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Sticky 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, Sticky explores animals, humor, friendship, and social topics — 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, humor, friendship.
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
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
- 9780702305108
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction