What do you say?
Leigh Olsen
What do you say?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Book About Manners
by Leigh Olsen
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
Want to know a secret? The Playskool pals aren’t always polite—they grab food, sneeze without covering, and bump into friends! But when you lift the flaps, you’ll discover the magic words that make everything better, and that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This interactive lift-the-flap book teaches young children essential manners such as saying “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “I’m sorry.” Perfectly suited for early readers aged 5 to 8, it gently introduces concepts of courtesy and respectful behavior through engaging juvenile fiction. Parents will appreciate the simple, clear lessons on etiquette presented in a fun and accessible format.
Why we rated What do you say? 7C
What do you say? is written at a Level 2 reading level across 18 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What do you say? works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What do you say? 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, What do you say? explores etiquette, courtesy, juvenile fiction, lift-the-flap books, and conduct of life — 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, courtesy, juvenile fiction.
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
- 9781416985181
- Pages
- 18
- Publisher
- Simon Spotlight
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction