View source for Funny Face by Nicola Smee

{{infobox
|title=Funny Face
|author=Nicola Smee
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A super board book introducing very young readers to all sorts of different emotions. The addition of a mirror at the end for them to pull their own silly faces is an inspired choice. Warmly recommended.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1408818718
|paperback=
|hardback=140881871X
|audiobook=
|ebook=
|pages=18
|publisher=Bloomsbury
|date=February 2011
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140881871X</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>140881871X</amazonus>
|website=
}}

The young boy is playing with his ball, when along comes a bear who steals it. The big meanie! He takes the only sensible action when faced with a big scary bear: he sticks his tongue out and pulls a funny face!

''Funny Face'' is a lovely board book for the very youngest book fans. Each page of very simple plot is interspersed with a picture of the boy pulling a happy, sad, cross, naughty or worried face, for the children to copy and play along with. Although the plot might sound a little scary, it's appropriately handled - and not a patch on the scariness of ''Goldilocks'' or any other fairy tale. The writing is direct and to the point, yet with enough interest to encourage the reader to really sell the lines. Throw in a mirror at the end for children to pull their own funny face, and you've got a wonderfully interactive book that will quickly become a firm favourite.

Nicola Smee's illustrations are bright, bold, friendly and engaging. As well as the boy and the bear, there are little creatures dotted on each page, which the young 'uns will enjoy spotting. If you don't have a bit of a giggle at seeing the boy's cross face, then there's something wrong with you! It's excellent stompy stropping that you can't help but love!

''Funny Face'' is a simple book that does everything right. It's pitched perfectly at its young audience, but is done so with such charm and humour that parents won't feel frustrated at having to read it again and again and again. Warmly recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

[[Mr Pusskins - Feelings by Sam Lloyd]] is another excellent board book for the very young, as is [[My Circus by Xavier Deneux]]. Young readers will also enjoy [[Bedtime (Slip-and-Slide Books) by Maureen Roffey]]. 

{{amazontext|amazon=140881871X}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8141488}}

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