About the Holiday

Today is one of the best days of the year! Anyone who loves books will want to take the opportunity of the holiday to visit their favorite bookstore and buy one of those books you’ve been hearing and reading about. And why stop at just one? Winter is coming—that time when nothing feels better than snuggling into a cozy reading spot with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and reading the day (or night) away. As the school year begins, children benefit from having new books in their home libraries that reflect their changing interests, maturing thoughts. Take a little time to look through the children’s or tween sections of the bookstore and let your kids pick out some new favorites! Yes, today is a wonderful day, no bones about it!

Thank you to Hippo Park for sending me this book for review!

A Not-So-Scary Story

By Barney Saltzberg

Little Mouse hears something in the middle of the night and wakes up. Could it have been Big Mouse’s snoring? Little Mouse doesn’t know what woke him—just that he’s scared. He’s also wary of the dark since he usually sleeps through it. When Big Mouse seems to dive out of site, Little Mouse begs him not to leave, but Big Mouse is just retrieving a flashlight. That’s better, and when Big Mouse offers to tell Little Mouse a story, Little Mouse is eager to hear it.

The story starts in the usual way, but then—with mood lighting courtesy of the flashlight—there’s an unidentifiable “THUMP!” and Little Mouse scurries under his blanket. The THUMPs come closer, and Little Mouse tells his friend he’s scaring him. Still, Little Mouse remains peaking out from his blanket to listen. Big Mouse gets to the big reveal, “Guess what it was?” Sensing an opportunity, Little Mouse shouts out the cutest thing he can imagine, and as Big Mouse tries to steer the story back on track, Little Mouse adds “butterfly wings” and “fluffy pink clouds.”

But you know how quickly the weather can turn, and Big Mouse fills the room with bone-rattling “BOOMs” and “CRACKLEs.” The two parry, until Little Mouse reveals that he doesn’t like being scared. Big Mouse has never heard of such a thing, and Little Mouse says he didn’t know “that being scared was something to like.” Now that he’s aware, Little Mouse is ready to get back to the story and even adds a few frightening elements of his own. Little Mouse is warming up to this new entertainment when suddenly a towering, green interloper appears from where the flashlight came from, putting Little Mouse’s new-found bravery to the test.

Barney Salzberg’s follow up to A Delicious Story reunites Big Mouse and Little Mouse in this endearing conversational story that rolls out with realistic cadence and timing that will have young readers simultaneously on the edge of their seat and giggling at Little Mouse’s playful interjections. Saltzberg’s reveal midway through explains Big Mouse’s counterintuitive response to Little Mouse’s fear while gently introducing ideas of trying new things, communicating, and appreciating alternate perspectives.

Saltzberg’s minimalist illustrations bring readers right into the room with Big Mouse and Little Mouse, immersing them in their creative back-and-forth to experience all of the friendship, chills, and humor of the story. The flashlight beam might even be considered a third character, highlighting, as it does, the action, emotions, and surprises in store. Saltzberg cleverly used the book’s gutter to add another dimension to this adorable tale.

Charming, and thoughtful, A Not-So-Scary Story is sure to become a favorite for lively and imaginative interactive read-alouds at home, in the classroom, and for library story times.

Ages 3 – 6

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662640858

About the Author

Barney Saltzberg is the author of more than 50 books for children, including the best-selling Touch and Feel Kisses series, Beautiful Oops!, My Book of Beautiful Oops!, and Hippo Park’s A Delicious Story. Additionally, he’s recorded four albums of songs for children. His books have won numerous awards, including NAPPA Gold Awards, and received multiple starred reviews. Most recently, Melinda Gates chose Beautiful Oops! as one of her top three books every child should read. Visit him at barneysaltsberg.com.