Crossword puzzle clue "small hint"

Hint (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)

"Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of ___" (classic 1971 children's book based on experiments at the National Insistute of Mental Health, hint hint)

Something your poetry teacher might assign you to write about a particularly inspirational poetry teacher you've had *hint* *hint

Small, influential group ... and a hint to the word hidden in each answer to a starred clue

Money to start small businesses ... or a hint to five squares in this puzzle

Small taste or, pronounced aloud, a hint to this puzzle's theme

Small hint

Small hint