Swim, Little Wombat, Swim!
Charles Fuge
Swim, Little Wombat, Swim!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Charles Fuge
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Little Wombat discovers the joy of swimming when a friendly Platypus helps him after a scary fall into the pond. Together, they learn about courage and friendship while having fun in the water. This gentle tale encourages trying new things with a buddy by your side.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 1-2 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! 6LP
Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 24 pages (approximately 282 words). Strong independent readers around grade 2.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! works for readers up to grade 3.8.
Read aloud, Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! takes about 2 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! as 6LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! explores friendship, adventure, social issues, and swimming — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, social issues.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 140272375X
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Sterling Publishing Company Incorporated
- Published
- August 1, 2005
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 282
- Read-Aloud
- ~2 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy