What's That Spooky Sound?

an endearing animal quest story for young readers. The woodland creatures are beautifully portrayed, and Daly has worked hard to make every spread a little different, making it a very pleasing visual experience for both the adult and children sharing the book together

-- Irish Independent

This tale of bravery and friendship inspired by the woods around Killarney and Glengarriff is a real treat. This beautiful picturebook celebrates the Irish countryside, depicting familiar animals and birds while introducing children to lesser-known creatures. There’s a perfect balance of illustration and text, soothing steady repetition of phrases and use of dynamic action words. The illustrations have a naïve and innocent style that evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia that will resonate with young children (and their grown-up readers). We get a delightful child-level view as the animal friends move across meadows and rivers, past mountains, trees and waterfalls and even picnic tables in this forest park setting. Being up close to flowers, ferns and leaves, we get a real sense of being in nature. The gentle story and pictures evoke a beautiful world that will open up the imagination at any time of day but will make for a calming read at bedtime. This is a very special story of bravery, friendship and looking out for each other, ending on a high-flying note!

-- Childrensbooksireland.ie

a wonderful addition to our home and classroom reading. From the very first page, the story captured the children’s attention with its gentle sense of mystery and playful suspense. The repeated question—“What’s that spooky sound?”—had my twins eagerly turning the pages, predicting what might come next. In the classroom, it worked beautifully as a shared reading experience, encouraging participation, discussion, and plenty of excited guesses. What stood out most to both my children and my pupils was the message at the heart of the story. They were especially drawn to the smallest animal, who ultimately proves to be the bravest. This was a powerful and relatable theme for young children, reinforcing the idea that courage doesn’t depend on size or strength. It sparked lovely conversations about bravery, fears, and how we all face things that make us nervous. The illustrations complement the text perfectly, adding warmth and humour while softening the “spooky” elements so they never feel overwhelming. This makes it ideal for young readers who enjoy a hint of suspense without being frightened. As an educator, I also appreciated how the book supports early literacy skills. The repetitive structure and engaging storyline make it accessible for emerging readers, while also building confidence in retelling and comprehension. Overall, this is a charming, engaging, and meaningful story that resonates both at home and in the classroom. It’s a book I would happily recommend to parents and teachers alike—especially for children in the early primary years - Review by Louise

-- Seomra Ranga

The story is sweet and charming. The animals - badger, red deer, owl, and pygmy shrew - are drawn with a lively expressiveness that immediately feels approachable for young readers. Each animal’s personality comes through without losing realism ... The illustrations are full of little hidden details worth returning for again and again. The sense of suspense builds gradually, leading to a gentle, satisfying reveal at the end. The balance of spooky and sweet is perfect

-- ReadandRev