Ben Falcone's First Picture Book to Help Kids Combat Fear with Silliness: 'I Am Big on Laughing' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Ben Falconeknows how to make people laugh.

The actor, director and writer, 50, has written and directed hit comedies like 2014’sTammy, 2018’sLife of the PartyandThunderforcein 2021 (not to mention playing hilarious roles like Air Marshall Jon in 2011’sBridesmaids).He has two daughters, Vivian, 17, and Georgette, 14, with wifeMelissa 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.

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.

source: people.com