Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions (Baby Loves Books) – A Review
As a mom of two energetic toddlers, bedtime reading can sometimes feel like an Olympic event—surrounded by a sea of stuffed animals, half-read books, and the inevitable “but I’m not sleepy!” declarations. This is why I was drawn to Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions by the wonderful team behind Baby Loves Books. With its promise to engage toddlers through facial expressions and emotions, it felt like a bright ray of hope amid our nightly chaos—a chance to not only read but connect and giggle together.
This delightful board book introduces five essential emotions—happy, sad, angry, surprised, and silly—through captivating photographs of babies. The simplicity of its design—with large, high-contrast images against white backgrounds—works wonders for little eyes, and let me tell you: my kids were instantly mesmerized. Each page invites them to mimic the expressions they see, which ended in a hilarious showdown of exaggerated faces. You would think we were preparing for an audition for a comedy show!
One evening, as we flipped through the pages, both my kids were particularly charmed by the “surprised” baby. With wide eyes and clasped hands, we all took turns showing our best surprised faces in exaggerated "Ooooh!" moments. It led us down a delightful path: “What makes you feel surprised?” I asked, and we launched into a small discussion about finding unexpected treasures in the backyard. This book doesn’t just teach emotions; it sparks conversations that dive deep into the little things that make our hearts flutter.
The standout feature—an embedded mirror on the final page—was icing on the cake. Watching my daughter gaze into the mirror and mimic the silly baby faces was heart-melting. “Look! I’m silly like this baby!” she squealed, and I couldn’t help but marvel at her joy. It’s experiences like these that remind me why reading together is so vital. It becomes more than words; it’s about sharing those precious moments, an avenue to understand ourselves and each other better.
What I love about Making Faces is how it seamlessly combines fun with learning. It appeals to kids’ natural inclination towards expression and play, making it perfect for ages one to two—the ideal reading age for my little ones. The diversity of emotions portrayed by various children adds a rich layer of relatability, underscored by the book’s charming simplicity.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any parent looking to introduce emotions and empathy in a lighthearted, engaging way—especially if your little ones are just starting to explore their feelings. Whether you’re navigating bedtime struggles or just want a quiet, snuggly afternoon, Making Faces might just become a new family favorite, sparking laughter, learning, and lots of lovely conversations.
When we finished our reading session, my kiddos and I sprawled on the floor together, faces smeared with cookie remnants, but hearts full of joy—proof that it’s not just the stories we share, but the connections we build that matter most.
Discover the joy of feelings with Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions! >>
