This Is Music!
Dena Adams
This Is Music!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
I Saw a Ship A-drumming
by Dena Adams
The text is written at a 3rd 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
The room buzzes with the soft hum of melodies and the bright clink of rhythm instruments. Imagine feeling the beat pulse through your fingertips as you explore songs and sounds from all around. Music isn't just heard—it's something you can touch, feel, and share with everyone.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This Is Music! offers a simple, structured approach to teaching music concepts to early readers aged 5-8, making it ideal for classroom use. With eight easy lessons per book and accompanying audio CDs, it requires no prior singing ability and supports reproducible take-home activities. The series is well-suited for educators with little music background as well as experienced teachers pressed for time.
Why we rated This Is Music! 8C
This Is Music! is written at a Level 3 reading level across 60 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This Is Music! works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate This Is Music! as 8C ("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, This Is Music! explores music, instruction & study - general, genres & styles - children's, and songbooks - general — 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 music, instruction & study - general, genres & styles - children's.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — 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
- 9780739040843
- Pages
- 60
- Publisher
- Alfred Music Publishing
- Published
- January 2007
- Type
- Fiction