What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You?
by Steve Jenkins, Steve Jenikins, Stacey D'Erasmo
Houghton Mifflin 1997
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- survival
- animal adaptations
- predator and prey
- problem-solving
- nature and science
- observation
- cause and effect
- habitats
About this book
This engaging picture book explores the clever ways animals protect themselves when predators come calling—from puffing up and camouflaging to squirting ink or startling an enemy. Steve Jenkins’s striking cut-paper collage art pairs with simple, punchy text to make big science ideas accessible to young readers. It’s a fun, fast read-aloud that sparks curiosity about how nature works and invites kids to look closely. Perfect for K–3 animal lovers and classrooms studying habitats, adaptations, and food chains.
Setting: various animal habitats around the world
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? right for my child?
Yes — What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.1, which is typical for 3rd 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 survival, animal adaptations, predator and prey.
How long does it take to read What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You??
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? takes around 4m to finish. The book has 500 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? have an AR quiz?
Yes — What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? 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 What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You??
What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? has an AR reading level of 3.1, which places it at a 3rd 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.