That's NOT how you do it!
Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
That's NOT how you do it!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Lucy the cat is the queen of doing things perfectly—she can eat with a spoon, fold paper stars, and help all her friends! But when Toshi the panda shows up with his own unique style, Lucy learns that there’s more than one right way to do things. This discovery changes everything about friendship and fun!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows Lucy, a cat who prides herself on doing everything 'the right way,' until she meets Toshi, a panda who does things differently. The book gently explores themes of individuality, acceptance, and friendship, making it suitable for children aged 5 to 8. It encourages young readers to appreciate diverse abilities and approaches in a lighthearted, accessible way.
Why we rated That's NOT how you do it! 6LE
That's NOT how you do it! is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 38 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, That's NOT how you do it! works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate That's NOT how you do it! as 6LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, That's NOT how you do it! explores individuality, animals, ability, friendship, and juvenile fiction — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about individuality, animals, ability.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
That's not fair
Gina Mayer
That's not fair
Gina Mayer
The cat that went woof!
Martyn Beardsley
The cat that went woof!
Martyn Beardsley
This is not a normal animal book
Julie Segal-Walters
This is not a normal animal book
Julie Segal-Walters
Can a Cat Do That?
Eric Carle
Can a Cat Do That?
Eric Carle
That's (not) mine
Anna Kang
That's (not) mine
Anna Kang
That fat hat
Joanne Barkan
That fat hat
Joanne Barkan
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781846439292
- Pages
- 38
- Publisher
- Child's Play International
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction