The big match
Adam Hargreaves
The big match
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Big Match
by Adam Hargreaves
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The thud of the ball echoes across the field, the whistle blows, and the crowd roars with excitement. Mr Small dreams of joining the big game, but can he show that even the tiniest player can make a huge difference? With Mr Tickle’s legendary saves and Mr Noisy’s booming referee calls, this football match is full of surprises and fun!
Quick Assessment
This playful story features the beloved Mr Men and Little Miss characters as they stage their own version of the World Cup, focusing on themes of teamwork, perseverance, and inclusion. Ideal for early readers aged 5-8, it combines bold illustrations with simple text to engage young children. The book contains no sensitive content and offers a lighthearted introduction to sports and friendship.
Why we rated The big match 7C
The big match 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, The big match works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The big match 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, The big match explores friendship, sports, humor, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Big Match
Basic Skills Agency Staff
Big Match
Basic Skills Agency Staff
The rugby match
Adam Hargreaves
The rugby match
Adam Hargreaves
The Big Match (Usborne Simple Readers)
Anne Civardi
The Big Match (Usborne Simple Readers)
Anne Civardi
Big Game
Sheila Dinsmore
Big Game
Sheila Dinsmore
Mouse of the Match
Ed Rigby
Mouse of the Match
Ed Rigby
Big Football Frenzy
Rob Childs
Big Football Frenzy
Rob Childs
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781405270885
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Egmont Books Limited
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction