The Cherry Pie Baby
by Kay Chorao
Dutton Childrens Books 1989
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- sibling rivalry
- responsibility
- family
- consequences
- empathy
- expectations vs. reality
- humor
About this book
Annie is tired of pretend play and dreams of having a real baby brother. In a silly swap, she trades five of her father’s cherry pies for a baby from another family and quickly learns that infants are noisy, messy, and a lot of work. Gentle humor and warm, detailed illustrations bring Annie’s misadventure to life. A light, reassuring read-aloud for young children curious about babies and big-sibling feelings.
Setting: a cozy small-town bakery and family home
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Cherry Pie Baby right for my child?
Yes — The Cherry Pie Baby is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.7, which is typical for 2nd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include sibling rivalry, responsibility, family.
How long does it take to read The Cherry Pie Baby?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, The Cherry Pie Baby takes around 7m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Cherry Pie Baby have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Cherry Pie Baby has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Cherry Pie Baby?
The Cherry Pie Baby has an AR reading level of 2.7, which places it at a 2nd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.