Dickens & Rumi
Cover of WHAT WE'LL BUILD

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WHAT WE'LL BUILD

Oliver Jeffers

A father and daughter build plans for the future together. (Ages 4 to 8)

Ages 3+Source checked

Why this age? Gentle picture-book language and imagery suit preschoolers; its themes of love, loss, fairness, and building a shared future can support deeper discussion with older children. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age3+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character1/5
  • Frightening scenes1/5
  • Romance1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Kindness & empathy5/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Death is not a theme in this work.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

The focus is on the parent-child relationship.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

There are no scary scenes or characters.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages facing the future with curiosity and bravery.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

The entire premise centers on imagination and building things together.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Characters are stylistically illustrated; diverse representation is not explicit but the book is inclusive in theme.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative thinking and the concept of building/cooperation.

Kindness & empathy5/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and empathy are the core values of the narrative.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong positive messages about collaboration, love, and building a future together.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The parent character serves as a nurturing and supportive role model.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in WHAT WE'LL BUILD would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WHAT WE'LL BUILD, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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