Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: Collected from American Folklore [Paperback]

Alvin Schwartz (Author), Stephen Gammell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Scary Stories

This spooky addition to Alvin Schwartz's popular books on American folklore is filled with tales of eerie horror and dark revenge that will make you jump with fright.

There is a story here for everyone -- skeletons with torn and tangled flesh who roam the earth; a ghost who takes revenge on her murderer; and a haunted house where every night a bloody head falls down the chimney.

Stephen Gammell's splendidly creepy drawings perfectly capture the mood of more than two dozen scary stories -- and even scary songs -- all just right for reading alone or for telling aloud in the dark.

If You Dare!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine collection of short tales to chill the bones of young and old with interesting notes for folktale buffs." -- -- Children's Books 1981 (NY Public Library).

"A fine collection of short tales to chill the bones of young and old with interesting notes for folktale buffs." -- -- Children's Books 1981 (NY Public Library).

"[Includes] traditional ghost tales, contemporary folklore, and chilling stories with surprise endings. . . .Superb illustrations." -- -- H.

About the Author

Alvin Schwartz is known for his more than two dozen books of folklore for young readers that explore everything from wordplay and humor to tales and legends of all kinds. Don't miss his other Scary Stories collections, including More Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories 3.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Harper Trophy Edition edition (July 9, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064401707
• ISBN-13: 978-0064401708
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Collections

More About the Author

Alvin Schwartz is known for a body of work of more than two dozen books of folklore for young readers that explore everything from wordplay and humor to tales and legends of all kinds. His collections of scary stories -- Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, Scary Stories 3, and two I Can Read Books, In A Dark, Dark Room and Ghosts! -- are just one part of his matchless folklore collection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars These are not the Stephen Gammel illustrations!!, August 2, 2010

By 

degobrah - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Paperback)

I was extremely disappointed when I found out about a reprinting of Scary Stories with a new illustrator. Like many adults I grew up reading these books by myself and with friends. The best part of reading these stories was turning the page to see what sick illustration was next. They creeped you out and I know I am not alone when I say that as an adult, they still creep me out. That's what is so fun about them to this day. I lament that this generation of readers will read a version of Scary Stories with watered down illustrations because uptight and squeamish parents have tried to ban these books from libraries. I have the originals and I will keep them for posterity.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Art by Stephen Gammell is BETTER!!!, October 5, 2010

By 

Margaret E. Chapp "artsygirl" (Erie, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Hardcover)

PLEASE READ!

This collection of folklore is absolutely wonderful. Alvin Schwartz writes in a style that is both easy to read and has a lasting effect that tells the story in a unique way for readers of all ages.

But...

I am VERY disappointed in the artwork. I have the original copies that were printed in the early 90's with illustrations by Steven Gammell. If you wish to see a some examples of his works, here are some links:

[...]

I'm not knocking Brett Helquist; his style is well suited for "Series of Unfortunate Events" but not Alvin Schwartz' "Scary Stories" collection. Some reviewers wrote that this collection was not scary at all; I beg to differ....

The reason the stories are scary is because of the ART! There's the overused saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" ... that sums up Steven Gammell. I first read these books in third grade and they stuck with me ever since, simply because of the terribly gruesome and disturbing imagery. The stories by themselves are uninteresting and honestly, Brett Helquist's illustrations do not give this book series justice whatsoever!!

I also realize that the older copies that have Steven Gammell's illustrations are hard to find here on Amazon. This saddens me... If you happen to find the originals, PLEASE buy them. You won't regret it.

See for yourself. You make the judgement call.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A watered down version of the original, June 5, 2011

By 

Jeffrey Haught (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Paperback)

I'm sure the editors at HarperCollins thought by changing the powerful (and controversial) imagery of this book, they'd sell more copies. Nothing like compromising art and expression to sell out.

1/5 stars for this homogenized shadow of the original book.