This is Thanksgiving
Jean Little
This is Thanksgiving
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jean Little
Illustrated by Deborah Zemke
The text is written at a kindergarten 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 makes Thanksgiving dinner so special? Picture a big family gathering around a table piled high with mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and all sorts of tasty dishes. But what surprises await at this festive feast?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This board book introduces young children to the traditions and foods of Thanksgiving through simple, cumulative rhyming text and warm, inviting illustrations. Suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8, it presents a positive depiction of family and holiday celebration without any challenging content. Its gentle approach supports early literacy and cultural understanding.
Why we rated This is Thanksgiving 5C
This is Thanksgiving is written at a Level K-1 reading level across 7 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 1.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is Thanksgiving works for readers up to grade 2.5.
We rate This is Thanksgiving as 5C ("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 Thanksgiving explores holidays & festivals - thanksgiving, family, children: preschool, and juvenile fiction — 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 holidays & festivals - thanksgiving, family, children: preschool.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
5C — 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
- 9781593540654
- Pages
- 7
- Publisher
- Blue Apple
- Published
- September 1, 2004
- Type
- Fiction