Funny Faces: A Big Book of Face Painting

Gr 9 Up—After a brief introduction about supplies and techniques, readers are presented with clearly written directions for 18 face-painting ideas. The projects, most of which can be accomplished in fewer than five steps, are broken down bit by bit with detailed, high-quality photographs accompanying each part of the process. Faces on the children range from the scary (zombies, witches, monsters) to more classic personae (clowns, fairies, animals) while also including a few contemporary superheroes. A few photos in the beginning-techniques section would have been helpful in illustrating some concepts used later on, although the author's instructions for the most part are quite clear. The actual techniques are simple and will not overwhelm, while the projects seem manageable for amateur or inexperienced face painters working with youngsters. The recommended supplies, though sometimes brand-specific, are also easily obtainable, making this a concise and easy-to-follow first guide for older teens who want to try this popular art.—Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library