What Do You Want?
Lars Klinting
What Do You Want?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lars Klinting
Illustrated by Lars Klinting
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
Everyone wants something special, but what if your wish is unlike anyone else's? Discover how each character's unique desires shape their world in ways you never imagined. It shows why understanding what others want can change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This simple yet thoughtful picture book explores the diverse desires of different people and things, encouraging empathy and understanding among young readers. Perfect for ages 5 to 8, it uses clear language and gentle illustrations to introduce the concept that everyone has their own unique wishes. There is no intense content, making it suitable for early readers and family sharing.
Why we rated What Do You Want? 7C
What Do You Want? is written at a Level 2 reading level across 36 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What Do You Want? works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What Do You Want? 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 Want? explores people & places - general, fiction, friendship, and family — 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 people & places - general, fiction, friendship.
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
- 9780888996367
- Pages
- 36
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books
- Published
- May 16, 2006
- Type
- Fiction