I Like Your Face

by Brad Davidson, Rachel Más Davidson (illustrator)

For fans of My Best Friend and Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) – a sweet story about what it feels like to have a best friend.

A young boy tells his friend all the reasons why he likes his face. It’s so special that he could spot it anywhere, even in a crowd of a million-gazillion people. He knows all the faces his friend makes, like his “Silly Face” and his “Holding-in-a-Fart Face.” And his friend knows all his faces, too, like his “I’m-There-for-You Face.” Because when you have a best friend, you’re never alone.

A charming friendship story sure to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Taleah Ushendibaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

pub date: sep 2

This book shows the friendship between two kids of different races. I like that it encourages kids to be a good friend. It shows them what they need to do in order to help their friends and make them happy. It also shows them that friendships are good for both people.

[Bookmeaway]

I Like Your Face.
What an adorable book. The main reaction of mine while reading this was : Awwwww it was so cute I could have cried.

"I could spot it anywhere.
Even in a crowd of a million gazillion people, I could find your face in a flash. Because you're my best friend."

I Like Your Face is about the essence of friendship and how it feels like to have a very best friend.
The two main characters are so cute. They do a lot together.

"I know all the faces you make, and you know all my faces, too. I know your "Silly Face", which makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts."

I Like Your Face adresses what true friendship is, from a very young age. It's attending fireworks together, being able to spot your bestie in an immense croud, going to the aquarium, make silly faces, make the other laugh so hard it hurts their belly. It's knowing the faces your best friend makes when he's hungry, angry, sad, scared. It's imagining a future together, in space as astronauts on a mission, or at their halloween costume party in 60 years. It's getting excited to see the other perform, encouraging them, letting them talk and not mock them. To be a nice listening ear and a supporting presence. This was such a pure and cute depiction of friendship.

"And that means I've got your back. When your faces cries, mine cries, too."

"But when you really need me, I'm there. My "Listening Face" lets you know that you can tell me anything. Even if it's silly or embarassing or hard to say out loud, I'll understand."

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about the love of your best friend. A boy talks about all the ways he appreciates his best friend. They share joy together, like laughing at each other’s funny faces, as well as their fears and challenges, such as knowing each other’s “hangry face” and “holding-in-a-fart face.” It was touching to see that the narrator, a Black boy, expects that he and his friends will grow “really, REALLY old” together. The friend, a white boy, really gets him.

The artwork, executed in a variety of physical mediums with digital assemblage, channels the kids’ joy with one another perfectly. Caregivers can use the book to start a discussion around verbalizing kind words to one another and talking about friendship. The title nicely demonstrates that friends can be direct with one another, and that compliments are a sweet way to show you care.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dressed as a love letter to a best friend, this does what it says on the tin – proves love for their face. It points to the variability of our faces – scared, holding in a fart, determinedly listening, etc etc, and does that with some humour and definitely with the clarity needed for the intended readers' age. So we can learn something about expressiveness while expressing, in slightly unnatural way mind, an appreciation for something we claim to want to see from now til the end of never. Woe betide any potential spouses – this seems to apply to our best bud and nobody else! Either way, a healthy four stars.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming, funny look at what makes your best friend's face the very best face! Whether you're feeling sad, silly, excited, brave, or even hangry, your face tells a story that your best friend will understand — and you'll read all of their moods right on their face, too.

This is a super cute book with equally cute illustrations. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story and the words of this book. Knowing there are people there for us who understand our facial expressions and what they mean. From the sadness to listening and excited faces. A great read to build children’s social skills and emotional awareness with relevant scenarios and nostalgic and playful imagery. Thanks for the early ecopy. It’ll be used for sure after printing in my teaching.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 3 out of 5]

We often say, “people are judged by appearances first,” and it’s true - we notice someone’s face before anything else. But when we really know a friend, when we’ve seen every expression (joy, sadness, curiosity, thoughtfulness) that’s when we can honestly say, “I know you, and I like you.”

A sweet, gentle book that helps kids notice and appreciate emotions, and teaches empathy in the simplest way.

Thanks NetGalley for ARC .

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really sweet. It’s about two friends that will be friends forever. They know each other so well, they know their various facial expressions and when to be what type of friend the other needs. The sentiment in this book is not sappy. It’s very heartfelt. It’s very lovely. I can see it being true thoughts of a child or even true words spoken in those quiet, happy moments. From beginning to end this book was a lovely read.

[Precious Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this story should two children of different races. We can all truly get along. These two best friends can truly always count on each other, when you feel a way your friend will always be there. I just know the kids would giggle and eat up this cute short story.

Beautiful illustration as well.

Thank you NetGalley & Brad Davidson for giving the opportunity to read this story.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest book! It celebrates friendship, dreams and future plans!

I would love to use this in my classroom (high school) but it is most appropriate for elementary school or even a counselor’s office. The thoughts shared are beautiful as is the illustration.

I was given access to an early copy of the lovely book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest little book about best friends, who share how much they know the other, based on their facial expressions. At on point, one boy told the other that he could pinpoint his best friend’s face while in a crowd full of people.

This is a wonderful way to discuss facial expressions with the little people in your life.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Great title. What an important book with a lovely message. The illustrations supported the text smoothly. This book applies to parents & children, childhood friends, and even adult friends. I'm so glad I read it. I highly recommend this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok picture book that talks about friendship, and how you know that one special persons face so well. Also discuss how friends should be there for each other and support their emotions/ be empathic.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about best friends and what it means to be best friends. The boy imagines their future growing old together but for now the important thing is to read his best friend’s face to know what he needs. The illustrations are good the story is ok.

[Singer_of_Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun and cute! I love the way this depicts friendship and the way it encourages kids to express to each other all the things they love and appreciate about each other. It's so nice to have friends who know all our different faces and love us just the same.

[Amethyst Maxey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC. What an adorable story. The illustrations were on point. This story shows how a friends faces can mean so many things. Happy, sad, hangry, mad, etc.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about friendship