The yawning game
Greg Gormley
The yawning game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Greg Gormley
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.
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About This Book
Soft, sleepy yawns ripple through the room like a gentle breeze. Each yawn spreads from one friend to another, tickling noses and curling tails as a playful puppy joins in. Feel the warmth of friendship and cozy moments in every page.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This delightful picture book explores the contagious nature of yawning through charming illustrations and a simple, engaging story ideal for early readers aged 5 to 8. It gently highlights friendship and shared experiences with a lovable dog character, making it a calming read for young children.
Why we rated The yawning game 7C
The yawning game is written at a Level 2 reading level across 20 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The yawning game works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The yawning game 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 yawning game explores friendship, animals, 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 friendship, animals, early childhood.
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781845394417
- Pages
- 20
- Publisher
- Little Bee
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction