This is how we do it

Name: This is how we do it
Author: Matt Lamothe
ISBN: 9781452150185

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world

by Matt Lamothe

Reading Level 3-4 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 3rd 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

What if you could spend a day with seven kids from all around the world? Imagine playing freeze tag in Japan, jumping rope in Uganda, and discovering how every child's day is different — but also the same. How do their stories connect, and what surprises will you find?

Themes

Multicultural Friendship Family Coming of AgeCross-cultural Studies

Quick Assessment

This picture book follows a day in the lives of seven children from diverse countries, showcasing their unique cultures and daily routines. It offers young readers ages 5-8 an engaging introduction to global diversity and shared human experiences, making it a valuable resource for teaching cultural awareness. The content is gentle and appropriate for early readers, with no intense themes or content warnings.

Why we rated This is how we do it C (Gentle)

This is how we do it is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 50 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage This is how we do it on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate This is how we do it 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, This is how we do it explores multicultural, friendship, family, coming of age, and cross-cultural studies — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, friendship, family.
✓ 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 · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?