Not Scary, Jonathan! is a delightful, playful picture book that’s perfect for young readers and their families. Written by the award-winning Australian author Peter Carnavas, with charming illustrations by Amanda Francey, this book strikes the ideal balance between fun and creativity, inviting readers to dive into the quirky world of Jonathan—a boy on a mission to be "scary."

Jonathan is all about dressing up and giving his family a good scare. Whether he’s donning a monster costume or sneaking around like a ghost, his goal is clear: to spark an “eek!” from his family. But each time he tries, they just laugh it off and tell him, “You’re not scary, Jonathan!” His persistence is endearing, but what happens when Jonathan actually does manage to be too scary?

The story is simple, yet full of heart. It’s an easy read with a rhythm that makes it perfect for read-aloud sessions. Jonathan’s antics are lighthearted, and young readers will likely see themselves in his imaginative efforts to impress others (even if that means a little bit of mischief). The gentle narrative builds up to a fun twist, which keeps things engaging without being overwhelming.

What truly stands out, though, are the illustrations. Amanda Francey’s artwork complements the text wonderfully, with lively and whimsical images that bring Jonathan’s world to life. The vibrant colors and playful details in the illustrations provide an extra layer of enjoyment for children, and there’s plenty to explore on each page.

At its core, Not Scary, Jonathan! is about the joy of imagination and the bonds of family. It encourages kids to embrace their creativity and explore different ways to express themselves. The gentle humor and non-scary approach to "scaring" also make it a fantastic book for bedtime or any moment when kids need a boost of fun energy.

This book is a perfect choice for families looking for a lighthearted, entertaining read that will spark laughter and creativity. It's not too scary, but it’s definitely just right for young readers who enjoy a bit of mischief, imagination, and family time.

My three-year-old absolutely love this book! He is at that age where he likes to pretend to scare people and being as this is what this book is about he ate it up. There’s also a dinosaur in the book added another element of fun. Highly recommend for older toddlers!

Not Scary, Jonathan! is about a little boy who always tries to scare his family members. He doesn’t successfully scare them…often. This is a fun and entertaining picture book, great for toddlers. My 3yo liked it a lot. And it has a great surprise twist!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Jonathan sneaks up and scares his family, but none of them or impressed or scared by his attempts. Feeling down, Jonathan goes outside and is startled to find the green hill he thought he was climbing was actually a dinosaur. The dinosaur agrees to help him scare his family, which is a success when they all go running and hiding. In the end, it was grandpa in a dinosaur suit all along.

I would recommend this funny, playful book to young readers and use it for my readaloud programs.