Yes, Oubliette, even kindergarteners start being taught critical thinking. If I were reading this text, we would need to decide whether this is fiction or non-fiction. Easy enough.
Then we would need to discuss whether this fictional story is realistic fiction or fantasy. As the book continues, it becomes clear that this is fantasy because the animals talk to each other.
And that is a powerful thing to teach a 5 year old: whether something could be true or not. This is how critical thinking begins.