We Are in a Book! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

We Are in a Book!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2010

94%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

Gerald and Piggie discover they're characters in a book—cue existential crisis for an elephant and pure joy for your beginning reader.

We Are in a Book!

book

2010

94%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

Gerald and Piggie discover they're characters in a book—cue existential crisis for an elephant and pure joy for your beginning reader.

4.9

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4.9

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what early reader books should be: genuinely funny, emotionally intelligent, and designed to make kids feel capable. Mo Willems understands that learning to read is hard work, so he rewards kids with stories that are actually entertaining, not just educational.

The Elephant & Piggie series has become a staple in elementary classrooms and home libraries for good reason—they work. Kids request them, teachers love them, and parents appreciate that they're teaching friendship skills alongside literacy. The meta-narrative in this particular book (they're aware they're being read) is clever without being precious, and it opens up great conversations about stories, books, and the magic of re-reading.

If you're building an early reader library, the entire Elephant & Piggie series belongs on the shelf. This one's a standout for its fourth-wall-breaking humor, but honestly, they're all excellent.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 4-8, especially kids in the early reader sweet spot (kindergarten through 2nd grade). The simple text makes it accessible for beginners, while the emotional sophistication and humor keep slightly older kids engaged. Parents of 3-year-olds often read these aloud successfully too.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Gerald and Piggie's friendship is the gold standard for early reader relationships—genuine care, emotional support (Gerald worries so Piggie doesn't have to), and mutual joy. The meta-awareness that they're characters in a book creates delightful anxiety about endings, which models how to process change and loss in age-appropriate ways. No chaos, no meanness, just two friends navigating their world together.

Imaginative

Breaking the fourth wall for early readers is genuinely clever—Willems makes kids aware they're participating in storytelling, which is meta-cognitive magic for 4-8 year olds. The simple premise (we're in a book!) opens up conversations about stories, reading, and what happens when the pages end. Willems' signature cartoon style with speech bubbles invites kids to 'perform' the reading, essentially turning every session into improvisational theater.

Safe

100

This is about as safe as media gets. No violence, no scary content, no surprise emotional trauma. Gerald's worry about the book ending is the extent of the 'conflict,' and it's resolved with humor and the promise of re-reading. Perfect for any child at any time. Amazon rating of 4.9/5 confirms zero parent concerns.

Enriching

Elephant & Piggie books are stealth literacy powerhouses—limited vocabulary, expressive speech bubbles, and emotional nuance that teaches kids how to read dialogue and infer feelings. This particular book teaches meta-literacy (understanding that books are objects with beginnings and endings) and introduces the concept of re-reading for comfort. The friendship dynamic models emotional intelligence: one friend worries, the other reassures. It's enriching without being didactic.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Mo Willems is a master of early reader design—speech bubbles, limited vocabulary, maximum emotion. Kids who struggle with traditional chapter books devour these.
The meta-narrative (they know they're in a book!) is genuinely clever and makes kids feel smart for 'getting it'
Models a friendship where differences are strengths: Gerald's anxiety and Piggie's optimism balance each other perfectly
High replay value—the joke about the book ending works every single time you re-read it, which kids find hilarious
Builds confidence for emerging readers who can actually finish a whole book in one sitting

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What to Watch For

Gerald's worry about the book ending might prompt questions about endings and loss—but it's handled gently and resolved with 'we can read it again!'
Some kids get so into these they'll request the entire 25-book series, which is actually a good problem to have

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Gerald is worried about the book ending? What would you tell him?"
"If you knew you were a character in a book, what would you want to happen in your story?"
"Gerald worries a lot and Piggie doesn't worry much—which one are you more like? Is it good to have friends who are different from you?"
"What's your favorite part to read out loud? Want to try doing the voices?"

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