Ben Falcone's First Picture Book to Help Kids Combat Fear With Silliness: 'I Am Big on Laughing' (Exclusive)
'What's Scarier Than Thunder?', out March 11, 2025, is the actor-writer-director's first kids' book to help families conquer bedtime anxieties
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Ben Falcone knows how to make people laugh.
The actor, director and writer, 50, has written and directed hit comedies like 2014's Tammy, 2018's Life of the Party and Thunderforce in 2021 (not to mention playing hilarious roles like Air Marshall Jon in 2011's Bridesmaids). He has two daughters, Vivian, 17, and Georgette, 14, with wife Melissa McCarthy, 53.
Penguin Random House
Now Falcone is stepping into the realm of children's literature with his first picture book, What's Scarier Than Thunder, a hilarious, rhyming bedtime tale to help parents and kids combat fear through humor.
Related: Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone's 2 Kids: Everything They've Said About Parenting
Illustrated by Kevin Cornell, this book is about "choosing to be silly in the face of fear," Falcone tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I like that idea a lot. I hope that kids and parents will read this book over and over and laugh together every time. I am big on laughing; I think we all could do it more."
Years ago, Falcone wrote what he describes as a "silly song" with a friend that "eventually evolved into a really sweet and caring way for a father to calm his child during moments of fear," the actor says. "The book grew from that idea."
Falcone first tested out the ideas and characters on his daughters, who were 16 and 13 at the time, during a long car ride. "They were a bit old for picture books, I suppose. But they laughed, so I felt like I was in decent shape," he says.
The director drew upon moments in his own life for inspiration, as well. "I can tend to worry so the idea of thunder being a placeholder for all fears makes a lot of sense to me," Falcone says. "And if I can combat my own fears with silliness, that’s usually a winning recipe."
Most importantly, Falcone wanted the book "to have a feel-good, yet really funny energy for parents and kids," he explains. "I didn’t want it to be snarky at all. And Jen my amazing editor and her team really helped us stay in that pocket. And Kevin's art is so beautiful, funny and joyous. They really knocked it out of the park."
As for more kids' books in Falcone's future, the actor shares he'd love to write a sequel. "There really could be a lot of them. Taking on something scary and choosing silliness instead," he adds. "I think that we have to sell roughly two zillion copies of this book for that to happen, though? Is zillion even a real number?"
What's Scarier Than Thunder? will hit bookshelves March 11, 2025 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.
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