The good-night kiss
Jim Aylesworth
The good-night kiss
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jim Aylesworth
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what happens when the world goes to sleep? Soft whispers of animals rustle through the trees, city streets glow under sleepy headlights, and a little child listens to a bedtime story before a gentle good-night kiss. But what magic hides in these quiet moments?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle bedtime story explores the peaceful nighttime world through simple, rhythmic text perfect for early readers ages 5 to 8. It highlights familiar scenes like animals settling down and family bedtime rituals, creating a soothing atmosphere to help children wind down. The content is calm and comforting, with no intense themes or challenging vocabulary.
Why we rated The good-night kiss 6C
The good-night kiss is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 40 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The good-night kiss works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The good-night kiss as 6C ("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 good-night kiss explores night, bedtime, family, and animals — 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 night, bedtime, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0689315155
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- Atheneum Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction