Making faces
Molly Magnuson
Making faces
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A First Book of Emotions
by Molly Magnuson
The text is written at a kindergarten 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
What if you could speak without words just by making faces? Imagine seeing a baby’s big smile and trying to copy it perfectly. But what happens when the baby looks surprised or silly? Can you match every expression and discover what each one means?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This colorful board book introduces young children to five basic emotions through large, engaging images of babies' facial expressions. Designed for early readers ages 5 to 8, it encourages interactive learning by inviting children to mimic and identify emotions like happy, sad, angry, surprised, and silly. The inclusion of a mirror at the end supports self-recognition and emotional awareness in an age-appropriate and gentle way.
Why we rated Making faces 5LE
Making faces is written at a Level K-1 reading level across 14 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 1.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Making faces works for readers up to grade 2.5.
We rate Making faces as 5LE ("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, Making faces explores emotions, family, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about emotions, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
5LE — 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
Making Faces
Caroline Davis
Making Faces
Caroline Davis
Making faces
Norman Messenger
Making faces
Norman Messenger
Baby faces
Mallory Loehr
Baby faces
Mallory Loehr
Making faces
Toby Forward
Making faces
Toby Forward
Making faces
Toby Forward
Making faces
Toby Forward
Baby Faces
Dorothea Deprisco
Baby Faces
Dorothea Deprisco
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781419723834
- Pages
- 14
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction