The Tale of La Llorona
Linda Lowery, Richard Keep
The Tale of La Llorona
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Mexican Folktale
by Linda Lowery, Richard Keep
Illustrated by Janice Lee Porter
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Did you know there's a ghost who wanders rivers at night, crying for her lost children? She hides in the shadows, and her story is whispered from one generation to the next—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book retells the Mexican folktale of La Llorona, a ghostly figure who haunts riverbanks searching for her lost children. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it introduces young children to cultural folklore with gentle language and themes. Parents should be aware that the story involves themes of loss and mild spooky elements common in traditional ghost tales.
Why we rated The Tale of La Llorona 7LE
The Tale of La Llorona is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Tale of La Llorona works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Tale of La Llorona as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Tale of La Llorona explores folklore & mythology, family, and cultural stories — 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 folklore & mythology, family, cultural stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
La Llorona
Wim Coleman
La Llorona
Wim Coleman
La Llorona : the crying woman
Rudolfo A. Anaya
La Llorona : the crying woman
Rudolfo A. Anaya
Little Herman Meets La Llorona
Judith Beatty
Little Herman Meets La Llorona
Judith Beatty
Eerie Legends
Ricardo Diseño
Eerie Legends
Ricardo Diseño
Legend of the Lost Legend
Robert Lawrence Stine
Legend of the Lost Legend
Robert Lawrence Stine
Ghost Girl [3]
High Linda Oatman
![Cover of Ghost Girl [3]](https://images.isbndb.com/covers/17182263482768.jpg)
Ghost Girl [3]
High Linda Oatman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780822563785
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- November 2007
- Type
- Fiction