What do you say?
Rick Wetzel
What do you say?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rick Wetzel
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
Here’s a secret: the Sesame Street muppets know some special words you might not! They’re ready to show you how fun words can be, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book features beloved Sesame Street muppets exploring different words, making it an engaging introduction to vocabulary for children ages 5-8. The book uses playful puppets and movable elements to enhance interaction, supporting early literacy development in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated What do you say? 6C
What do you say? is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 6 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What do you say? works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate What do you say? 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, What do you say? explores friendship, humor, adventure, puppets, and early literacy — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, humor, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A 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
- 0679838457
- Pages
- 6
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction