What's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant)
Kathryn Jackson
What's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathryn Jackson
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
What happens when a giant elephant decides to leave the circus behind? Imagine him building a home all by himself and lending a helping trunk to everyone in town. But will his new life bring the happiness he’s searching for?
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader follows a big elephant who leaves the circus to start a new life in town, building a house and helping the community along the way. Suitable for children ages 5 to 8, the story promotes themes of kindness, independence, and finding happiness through helping others. The gentle narrative and simple vocabulary make it ideal for early readers.
Why we rated What's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant) 7C
What's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant) 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's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant) 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's Next, Elephant? (formerly titled The Big Elephant) explores friendship, family, and adventure — 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 friendship, family, adventure.
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
2/10A 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
- 9780307002068
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Golden Books
- Published
- March 26, 1990
- Type
- Fiction