Making faces
Norman Messenger
Making faces
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Norman Messenger
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.
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About This Book
What if you could create a new face every time you flip a page? Imagine mixing eyes, noses, and mouths to make hundreds of silly, funny, or surprising expressions! How many faces will you discover before the book runs out of pages?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This interactive flipbook introduces young readers to the fun of creating caricatures by mixing and matching facial features from eight basic characters. Designed for early readers ages 5 to 8, it encourages creativity and fine motor skills without any challenging content. The playful format makes it suitable for children exploring self-expression through art and imagination.
Why we rated Making faces 7C
Making faces is written at a Level 2 reading level across 40 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 7C ("Clear") 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 humor, art & creativity, and interactive play — 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 humor, art & creativity, interactive play.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781564581112
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Nonfiction