I Am Going! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

I Am Going!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2010

92%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

Gerald panics when Piggie says she's leaving—turns out she just wants him to come outside. Peak early-reader emotional intelligence.

I Am Going!

book

2010

92%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

Gerald panics when Piggie says she's leaving—turns out she just wants him to come outside. Peak early-reader emotional intelligence.

4.9

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Screenwise Verdict

Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie books are the platonic ideal of early readers, and I Am Going! is a standout for teaching kids about communication and not jumping to conclusions. Gerald's panic is relatable, Piggie's obliviousness is hilarious, and the resolution is satisfying without being saccharine.

The 4.9 Amazon rating isn't a fluke—parents and kids genuinely love these. They're easy enough for new readers to tackle independently but clever enough that adults don't want to gouge their eyes out during the 47th read-aloud. If you're building a home library for a 4-6 year old, the entire Elephant & Piggie series is a no-brainer.

This isn't going to challenge a third-grader or teach your kid about the solar system, but for what it is—a gentle, funny, emotionally intelligent early reader—it's basically perfect.

Age Fit

This is squarely aimed at early readers ages 4-6 who are building decoding skills and confidence. Kids up to 7 or 8 might still enjoy it for comfort reading or with younger siblings, but it's not meaty enough for independent readers beyond that. The emotional lessons, though, are timeless.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie books are masterclasses in emotional health for young kids. This story tackles separation anxiety and friendship in the gentlest, most reassuring way—Gerald panics when Piggie says she's 'going,' worrying about who he'll skip with and play Ping-Pong with, only to discover she's just going outside and wants him to come along. It models vulnerability, communication, and the relief of simply asking questions instead of catastrophizing. The tone is warm, the pacing is perfect for early readers, and the friendship between these two is genuinely touching.

Imaginative

Willems' signature simple illustrations (mostly white backgrounds, expressive characters) leave room for kids to focus on emotions and dialogue rather than visual clutter. The format invites dramatic reading and role-play—kids love acting out Gerald's panic and Piggie's cheerful obliviousness. That said, this is more about emotional imagination than world-building or creative problem-solving. It's clever and engaging, but not pushing boundaries of originality within the broader Elephant & Piggie series.

Safe

100

This is as safe as books get. Zero content concerns, zero surprise elements, zero anything that would startle or upset a young reader. The entire conflict is a misunderstanding about going outside. Early reader format with controlled vocabulary and simple sentences means no stumbling into inappropriate themes. Perfect for independent reading or read-alouds.

Enriching

For early readers (ages 4-6), this book punches above its weight in emotional literacy. It teaches kids about jumping to conclusions, the importance of asking clarifying questions, and how anxiety can spiral when we don't communicate. The early reader format builds decoding skills and reading confidence. The humor and friendship dynamics give kids real insight into how relationships work. It's not teaching history or science, but for social-emotional learning at this age, it's gold.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Mo Willems is a genius at capturing big feelings in simple words—this nails separation anxiety and the relief of just asking what's going on
Perfect for new readers: controlled vocabulary, speech bubbles, expressive illustrations that support comprehension
Models healthy friendship and communication without being preachy—kids actually want to read these
Part of the larger Elephant & Piggie universe (25 books!), so if your kid loves it, there's a whole library waiting
Adults genuinely enjoy reading these aloud—the humor and pacing work for everyone

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What to Watch For

Gerald's anxiety is played for gentle humor, but sensitive kids might relate a bit too hard to his panic—good opportunity to talk about worrying
The misunderstanding resolves quickly and happily, which is great but also means less tension for older early readers who might want more plot

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever thought something bad was happening but then it turned out to be totally fine? What happened?"
"Why do you think Gerald got so worried when Piggie said she was going?"
"What could Gerald have asked Piggie right away to feel better?"
"Who do you skip with and play Ping-Pong with? What would you do if they had to go somewhere?"

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