What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?)

Ray Gibson

What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ray Gibson

Illustrated by Sue Stitt

Reading Level 2 7C Ages 5-8 Matched

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

Cooking can be a wild adventure, especially when you’re making chocolate octopus cookies and coconut mice! These tasty treats aren’t just yummy—they’re fun to create and perfect for sharing with friends. Discover how cooking turns snack time into a deliciously exciting experience!

Themes

CookingJuvenile literatureActivity Books - GeneralChildren: Grades 1-2

Quick Assessment

This early reader book introduces children aged 5-8 to simple, fun recipes that encourage hands-on cooking and creativity. With easy-to-follow instructions for sixteen snack recipes, it supports developing reading skills while promoting an interest in food preparation. The content is appropriate and engaging for young children, focusing on safe and enjoyable cooking activities.

Why we rated What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?) 7C

What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?) works for readers up to grade 4.0.

We rate What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?) 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 Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?) explores cooking, juvenile literature, activity books - general, and children: grades 1-2 — 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 cooking, juvenile literature, activity books - general.
✓ 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

7C — Clear

Emotional

Clear

Physical

Clear

Social

Clear

Thematic

Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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What Shall I Cook? (What Shall I Do Today?

Ray Gibson