What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings)
Joanne Shepherd
What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joanne Shepherd
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
Have you ever wondered what your face looks like when you feel scared? Imagine your eyes getting wide and your mouth opening just a little. What happens to your eyebrows? The face can tell so many stories — but what does yours say when fear shows up?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book gently explores the facial expressions associated with feeling scared, helping children ages 5 to 8 recognize and understand emotions through simple nonfiction text and illustrations. It supports emotional literacy by focusing on physical cues without introducing complex or distressing content, making it appropriate for young children learning about feelings.
Why we rated What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings) 7LE
What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings) as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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 I Look Like When I Am Scared (Let's Look at Feelings) explores emotions & feelings, facial expression, and juvenile nonfiction — 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 emotions & feelings, facial expression, juvenile nonfiction.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
- 9781404225091
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
- Published
- June 2004
- Type
- Nonfiction