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Cover of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Age rating and parents' guide:Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

by Virginia Lee Burton

Ages 6–8

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is best for children aged 6–8. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne prove their worth by digging a town-hall cellar in one day.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
None
Scary moments
None
Romance
None
Bad language
None
Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Picture book
  • ★Easy to get into from the first page
  • ★Plenty of illustrations
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Great for kids who like

  • General fiction

Reading mood

  • Playful

Books like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel for?
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel suits children aged 6–8. It is a picture book: easy to get into from the first page, plenty of illustrations.
Q: Is Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel appropriate for a 6 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 6–8. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Q: What should my child read after Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel?
Try Tuesday, Firebird and Giraffes Can't Dance. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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