Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
At the farm
David M. Schwartz
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
Discover the busy world of farm animals through easy words and colorful photos. Meet friendly creatures like sheep, roosters, goats, and ducks as you learn about their unique traits and daily lives on the farm. Perfect for young readers eager to explore nature and animals up close!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated At the farm C (Gentle)
At the farm is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 24 pages (approximately 369 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage At the farm on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, At the farm takes about 2 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate At the farm as C (Gentle) because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, At the farm explores animals, farm life, and early learning — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about animals, farm life, early learning.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Look Once, Look Again series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Look Once, Look Again Series
In the forest
David M. Schwartz
In the forest
David M. Schwartz
At the seashore
David M. Schwartz
At the seashore
David M. Schwartz
At the zoo
David M. Schwartz
At the zoo
David M. Schwartz
In a tree
David M. Schwartz
In a tree
David M. Schwartz
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Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
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Goats (Blastoff Readers: Farm Animals) (Blastoff Readers: Farm Animals) (Blastoff! Readers, Farm Animals)
Emily K. Green
Goats (Blastoff Readers: Farm Animals) (Blastoff Readers: Farm Animals) (Blastoff! Readers, Farm Animals)
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At the Sheep Farm
Bruce Esseltine
At the Sheep Farm
Bruce Esseltine
Sheep
Ann Larkin Hansen
Sheep
Ann Larkin Hansen
Animals on the Farm
Lisa J. Amstutz
Animals on the Farm
Lisa J. Amstutz
Petting zoo
Gail Tuchman
Petting zoo
Gail Tuchman
Chickens
Heather C. Hudak
Chickens
Heather C. Hudak
Goats on the Farm (On the Farm)
Mari C. Schuh
Goats on the Farm (On the Farm)
Mari C. Schuh
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0836822218
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Gareth Stevens Publishing
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 369
- Read-Aloud
- ~2 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy