What do you say?
Jennifer Blizin Gillis
What do you say?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Blizin Gillis
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: sometimes the magic words you say can change everything around you. Eve knows exactly when to say 'please' and 'thank you' while having fun at the park with her mom, but that’s only the beginning of her manners adventure.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early-reader story introduces children ages 5-8 to the importance of good manners through the playful interactions of a mother and daughter at the park. It includes simple etiquette lessons, an engaging activity, and a helpful word list to reinforce polite behavior in everyday situations. Suitable for grade 1.5 readers, it encourages social skills development in a gentle, accessible way.
Why we rated What do you say? 6C
What do you say? is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 24 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 etiquette, behavior, mothers and daughters, and play — 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 etiquette, behavior, mothers and daughters.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
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
- 9780764132988
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- B.E.S. Publishing
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction