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

Alvin Schwartz (Author), Stephen Gammell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: July 9, 1986 | Age Range: 9 and up | Series: Scary Stories | Lexile Measure: 640L (What's this?)

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

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First edition (July 9, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064401707
• ISBN-13: 978-0064401708
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 199 people found the following review helpful

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

By degobrah

Format: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.

110 of 113 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

Format: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.

92 of 94 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

Format: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.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless Edition. November 10, 2010

By Professor Bramblebits

Format:Hardcover

Without Stephen Gammell's artwork, these are pretty close to worthless.

Why would they EVER replace the original, incredible artwork? The reality is, Harper Collins, that Stephen Gammell's artwork MADE these classics.

The artwork now is unoriginal, not the least bit frightening (or artful), and does nothing to complement the stories.

Huge mistake. Someone should be fired. At least five people should be fired... and blacklisted.

This is an atrocity.

Prospective buyers: go buy the other versions! Oh, that's right, they're extremely expensive. I wonder why, Harper Collins? You fools.

And again for good measure: you fools.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars How Dare They... June 5, 2011

By John Gonzo

Format:Paperback

How dare they censor the original?? The Stephen Gammel illustrations were incredible! The art was what made these books great! The writing is still good, but the new drawings are just nowhere near as good as the old ones! Skip this one and buy the old version(s)!!

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Missing what made the original versions great: The art! October 25, 2010

By William Mistretta

Format:Hardcover

Alvin Schwartz's stories always played second fiddle to Stephen Gammell's art. Without it, this book is not worth anyone's time or money. Avoid it and seek the originals.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the original illustrations! October 21, 2010

By Walter

Format:Hardcover

Shame on Harper Collins for re-releasing these books without Stephen Gammell's artwork! These "new" drawings are awful and ridiculous. Buy The Scary Stories Treasury instead, as it has all the original books intact.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Buy the Original Version August 1, 2010

By Schug

Format:Paperback

This version does not include the gruesome illustrations of the original that still haunt me every once in a while. The book has been controversial because of the uncensored gore and terrifying images. This version is compromised fluffy camping-trip stories.