Try GOLD - Free

Ben Falcone

Newsweek US

|

March 28, 2025

Ben Falcone isn’t exactly known for making kid-friendly projects. His films with wife and frequent collaborator Melissa McCarthy are “R-rated quite often, but I do think there’s a certain sweetness that we usually try to hit.”

- H. Alan Scott

Ben Falcone

And it’s that sweetness he’s bringing to his first kids’ book, What’s Scarier Than Thunder? “My secret goal is that it’s something that kids will think is funny, but that parents will, too.” The story follows Claire, who is afraid of thunderstorms. For future stories, Falcone sees many other things to be scared of: “Heights, first day of school, remember that one? Meeting someone new, auditions...” Another story he’s actively involved with is the podcast

MORE STORIES FROM Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

TURN THESE PAGES

The best books Newsweek staffers read last year

time to read

8 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

CHERYL HINES

The actor discusses her new memoir Unscripted, her Hollywood roots and life with husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr. inside the Trump administration

time to read

2 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

THE MIDDLE CLASS FLORIDA DREAM IS OVER

Higher housing costs are pushing a life in the Sunshine State out of reach for many Americans

time to read

11 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

MIND GAMES

Mentalist Oz Pearlman on using storytelling to read his audience and the secret to sticking to New Year's resolutions

time to read

6 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

DACRE MONTGOMERY

DACRE MONTGOMERY HAS HAD A LOT OF PINCH-ME MOMENTS IN THE PAST few years.

time to read

1 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

GEN Z IS LIT

Images of celebrities smoking have become popular on social media among young people, despite the generation's clean-living image

time to read

4 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

AMERICA'S BEST REGIONAL BANKS & CREDIT UNIONS 2026

These financial institutions are ones you can trust for your business and personal banking relationshipswithout the corporate feel

time to read

4 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

Complete Control

Kate Winslet has been a screen icon for three decades. Now she's stepped behind the camera to direct her first feature film

time to read

8 mins

January 2, 2026

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

From the Arctic to the Sahara, Extremes Put New Vehicles to the Test

BATTLE TESTED Mercedes-Benz GLB undergoes extreme conditions testing in Germany.

time to read

1 mins

December 26, 2025

Newsweek US

Newsweek US

'IF HE GETS RID OF MADURO, WE'LL FORGIVE HIM'

Venezuelan exiles in a Miami suburb are backing Trump's efforts to remove the leader from power

time to read

4 mins

December 26, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size