I bought this thinking it would be great for my four year old, who is an art and reading enthusiast. I had the two year old with me, though, and so I sat down and tried to tell her the story the first time I went through the book--- and it was HARD! It has been such a challenge to teach the girls this fable, and now they are learning to tell the story. I am so impressed by this book. The rave reviews it is receiving are well-deserved. It is a great book for parents and children.