Dickens & Rumi
Cover of WHAT CAN I SAY?

book

WHAT CAN I SAY?

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Catherine Newman

Is WHAT CAN I SAY? appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for WHAT CAN I SAY? by Catherine Newman. This book is recommended for ages 8+; content notes include LGBTQIA characters, Romance, Strong language; positive qualities include Educational value, Kindness & empathy.

Ages 8+Source checked

Why this age? Written for children and focused on everyday social problem-solving. Some topics involve nuanced feelings, conflict, and boundaries, but the treatment is accessible and non-graphic. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 8+
Strongest cautionsLGBTQIA characters 1/5 · Romance 1/5 · Strong language 1/5
Strongest positivesEducational value 5/5 · Kindness & empathy 5/5
Recommendation4.8/5

Educational value; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Written for children and focused on everyday social problem-solving. Some topics involve nuanced feelings, conflict, and boundaries, but the treatment is accessible and non-graphic. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Educational value; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 8+Main watch-out: LGBTQIA characters 1/5
Recommendation 4.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
10Scored categories
10Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 22, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth10 scored categories10 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age8+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters1/5
  • Romance1/5
  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Educational value5/5
  • Kindness & empathy5/5
  • Positive messages5/5

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What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerMrs Pepperpot and the TreasureOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleSCARY STORIESCompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than WHAT CAN I SAY?. Open each review for the details.

BOOKMrs Pepperpot and the TreasureAlf Prøysen; Hilda Offen · 2013Ages 5+2 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKMoldy Warp the moleAlison Uttley · 1940Ages 5+2 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The book discusses how to avoid rude language and name-calling.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

The book uses inclusive language, but does not feature explicit LGBTQIA storylines.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Romance is not a focus of this communication guide.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

It encourages children to have the courage to apologize, set boundaries, and speak up.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative approaches to problem-solving in social conflict.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The book portrays diverse social situations and emphasizes inclusive communication styles.

Educational value5/5
Why this rating?

It serves as an excellent practical guide for social-emotional learning and communication skills.

Kindness & empathy5/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is the cornerstone of the advice provided throughout the book.

Positive messages5/5
Why this rating?

The central theme is the importance of kindness, empathy, and effective communication.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The book encourages kids to be thoughtful, kind, and responsible communicators.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What is one new thing you learned or became curious about?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in WHAT CAN I SAY? would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WHAT CAN I SAY?, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

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Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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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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