Making faces
Toby Forward
Making faces
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Toby Forward
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if the faces you wear could change who you really are? Imagine Kate making silly faces for her classmates—and suddenly, Daisy starts hissing like a cat, Alice squeaks like a mouse, and even the teacher turns into a wise owl. But when they leave school, the whole neighborhood reacts in a surprising, spooky way!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming picture book follows Kate and her classmates as they try on magical faces that transform them into different creatures, sparking imaginative play and wonder. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it encourages creativity and humor while presenting light fantasy elements without any frightening content. Parents can expect an engaging story that explores identity and playful transformation in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Making faces 7LT
Making faces is written at a Level 2 reading level across 31 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Making faces works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Making faces as 7LT ("Light — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Making faces explores children's stories, humor, fantasy world-building, imagination, and friendship — 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 children's stories, humor, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LT — Light — ThematicLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
Making faces
Norman Messenger
Making faces
Norman Messenger
Making Faces
Caroline Davis
Making Faces
Caroline Davis
Toby's silly faces
Cyndy Szekeres
Toby's silly faces
Cyndy Szekeres
Funny Faces
Eager Minds Press
Funny Faces
Eager Minds Press
Happy Faces
Bill Cotter
Happy Faces
Bill Cotter
Baby Faces
Dorothea Deprisco
Baby Faces
Dorothea Deprisco
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780241136492
- Pages
- 31
- Publisher
- Penguin Uk
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction