The dressing up book
Wendy Baker
The dressing up book
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Lots of Ideas for Amazing Hats, Masks, and Costumes
by Wendy Baker
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
Did you know you can turn a simple paper plate into a magical hat or a colorful mask that tells a story? There are secret tricks to making costumes that sparkle and surprise everyone, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader introduces young children to creative costume-making using everyday materials. Suitable for ages 5 to 8, it encourages imagination and fine motor skills through simple handicraft projects. The content is gentle and inspiring with no challenging themes.
Why we rated The dressing up book 7C
The dressing up book is written at a Level 2 reading level across 46 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dressing up book works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The dressing up book 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 dressing up book explores handicraft, costume, creativity, and early childhood — 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 handicraft, costume, creativity.
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
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Usborne Book of Dressing Up (How to Make)
Chris Caudron
Usborne Book of Dressing Up (How to Make)
Chris Caudron
Dress-ups
Bill Thomas
Dress-ups
Bill Thomas
Dress Up Dolls Fairy & Princess
Edited
Dress Up Dolls Fairy & Princess
Edited
Dress Up
DK Publishing
Dress Up
DK Publishing
Dressing Up (Troubadour)
Jack Keely
Dressing Up (Troubadour)
Jack Keely
DIY kids' dress up
Jessica Near
DIY kids' dress up
Jessica Near
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 156847136X
- Pages
- 46
- Publisher
- Thomson Learning
- Published
- 1994
- Type
- Fiction