The Whatifs (2020) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
When a girl named Elara receives a mysterious package, she discovers a box full of "whatifs" that allow her to explore alternate realities. Each whatif presents a different path her life could have taken, leading to a series of adventurous and emotional experiences. The book explores themes of choice, consequence, and self-discovery.
Early Reader • 2020 • 40 pages • Grade 1-3
The Whatifs is a gentle, therapeutic picture book designed to help children navigate anxiety and intrusive 'worries.' The story follows a girl named Cora who is followed by physical embodiments of her doubts before a musical performance, ultimately learning to flip negative 'whatifs' into positive ones. It is an excellent resource for children ages 4-9 dealing with nerves or generalized anxiety, with no mature content regarding sex… Sign up for the full guide
Is The Whatifs appropriate for kids?
The Whatifs is a gentle, therapeutic picture book designed to help children navigate anxiety and intrusive 'worries.' The story follows a girl named Cora who is followed by physical embodiments of her doubts before a musical performance, ultimately learning to flip negative… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Whatifs
What happens in The Whatifs, moment by moment
- p. 4 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- p. 6 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
- p. 8 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Whatifs
There is no sexual content or nudity present in this story. As a children's picture book focused on emotional regulation and mental health, the illustrations and text remain entirely family-friendly. The narrative maintains its focus strictly on the protagonist's internal emotional journey. There are no depictions of romance or physical intimacy beyond supportive friendship. The story is appropriate for all ages in this category.
Violence and gore in The Whatifs
None. There is no physical conflict, only the internal tension of performance anxiety. The 'Whatif' creatures are depicted as small, fuzzy entities that, while pesky, do not act with any physical aggression toward the characters. The illustrations avoid any imagery of harm or peril, staying focused on a realistic school environment. No characters are injured, and no weapons or threats are present.
Language in The Whatifs
None. The vocabulary is age-appropriate and focused on feelings and possibilities. There are no profanities, insults, or crude terms used by Cora or any other character in the book. The dialogue consists entirely of internal thoughts and supportive conversations with friends and family. Even the negative 'Whatifs' use mild language to express worries rather than hurtful speech.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Whatifs
No alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products are depicted or referenced throughout the book. The setting is centered on a child's school and home environment, where the focus remains on positive coping mechanisms for anxiety. There are no scenes involving any illicit substances or adult-oriented behaviors. Parents and mentors are depicted as healthy, supportive figures within a safe and clean community.
Mature themes in The Whatifs
The central theme is anxiety and the 'catastrophizing' of future events. It emphasizes mindfulness, reframing negative thoughts, and the importance of supportive friendships in overcoming fear. The story specifically tackles the feeling of being overwhelmed by 'the unknown' and provides a concrete visual for intrusive thoughts. Readers see Cora struggle with the physical and mental weight of these worries before finding a path toward hope. It serves as a gentle introduction to cognitive behavioral concepts for…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Whatifs appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Whatifs is best for ages 6+. The Whatifs is a gentle, therapeutic picture book designed to help children navigate anxiety and intrusive 'worries.' The story follows a girl named Cora who is followed by physical embodiments of her doubts before a…
What age rating does The Whatifs have?
Books don't carry official age ratings. The Whatifs is published for a Early Reader audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.
What reading level is The Whatifs?
The Whatifs is 40 pages and its reading level is Grade 1-3. Bontent recommends it for ages 6+.
What is The Whatifs about?
The Whatifs is a gentle, therapeutic picture book designed to help children navigate anxiety and intrusive 'worries.' The story follows a girl named Cora who is followed by physical embodiments of her doubts before a musical performance, ultimately learning to flip negative 'whatifs' into positive ones. It is an…
Is there sex or nudity in The Whatifs?
There is no sexual content or nudity present in this story. As a children's picture book focused on emotional regulation and mental health, the illustrations and text remain entirely family-friendly. The narrative maintains its focus strictly on the…
How violent is The Whatifs?
None. There is no physical conflict, only the internal tension of performance anxiety. The 'Whatif' creatures are depicted as small, fuzzy entities that, while pesky, do not act with any physical aggression toward the characters. The illustrations avoid any…
Is the language in The Whatifs appropriate for kids?
None. The vocabulary is age-appropriate and focused on feelings and possibilities. There are no profanities, insults, or crude terms used by Cora or any other character in the book. The dialogue consists entirely of internal thoughts and supportive…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The Whatifs?
No alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products are depicted or referenced throughout the book. The setting is centered on a child's school and home environment, where the focus remains on positive coping mechanisms for anxiety. There are no scenes involving any…
What mature themes appear in The Whatifs?
The central theme is anxiety and the 'catastrophizing' of future events. It emphasizes mindfulness, reframing negative thoughts, and the importance of supportive friendships in overcoming fear. The story specifically tackles the feeling of being overwhelmed…
Where can I read the full The Whatifs parent guide?
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