Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

These were my favorite scary stories to read as a kid. I recently pulled these books off the shelf and gave it a quick read, not as scary as when i was a kid, but it sure was fun reading it to my 3 daughters and giving them a taste of "scary stories." But i'm not going to lie, the artwork in these books still terrifies me.

They are now the books I take with us when we go on our family camping trips. reading the stories around the camp fire is nostalgic for me and terrifying for them, it's a win win.

Half, maybe a bit more than half, of the fun and uniqueness of this wonderful collection was the awesome terrifying artwork...If it still had the old artwork I would definitely buy this for my future children...but alas, it has been replaced by generic boring illustrations similar to every other book...I am 20 now, but these amazing stories along with the scary artwork will always be in my memory and I remember them very fondly. they did not scar my memory or scare me to insanity. They sure were scary but not enough to completely get rid of them! I will never buy this version. I'd rather pay for a used copy of the older better version but never this one...I am kind of heartbroken they got rid of it as it was so perfect the way it was. The parents who complained about the old artwork should be ashamed.

Growing up this was one of my favorite books. I liked it because of the stories, but the heart and soul of it was the illustrations. They had these amazing, dark and twisted illustrations that painted these amazingly disturbing (yet amazing) pictures of the different stories. These stories in this version of the book have been replaced by mediocre looking cartoons that completely and totally miss the point of the original work.

Here is what I think happened here: some schmucks gathered together in a board and said "Its the 30th anniversary of one of our most celebrated books. How can we suck every last ounce of goodness out of it and deliver a bland sanitized version to overly sensitive parents?"

Mission accomplished.

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)!!

Many of us remember being on a wait list at school or at our community libraries to borrow these horrifying gems. Yes, the stories themselves were spooky. Seeing some of our local folklore in print just added to the eerieness. The most important contributor to the scare-factor was the incredibly grotesque pieces of art that accompanied each story. This reprint features a new, popular artist; however, the illustrations don't have that same terror-inducing quality as before.

For me, I think the reason is that there was a lot of mystery in Gammell's work, while Helquist's just doesn't leave anything to the imagination. In Gammell's work the picture is set up so that it is happening TO YOU. In Helquist's work, the perspective is such that you can see it happening to the characters. Just doesn't do it for me. You can google the images or check blogs to see for yourself.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE KINDLE EDITION
First off, I love these books and the one star is specifically for the Kindle edition. It includes none of the original Stephen Gammell artwork. It doesn't even include the updated art from recent editions that people didn't care much for.
Second, the Kindle edition omits the author's bibliography and the other information about the folklore that inspired all of the stories... which is a shame.

This series influenced me as an artist in profound ways, and it was all because of Stephen Gammell's illustrations. I remember staying up late at night and just absolutely loving the how terrified it made me feel. It's very sad to me that children today aren't going to be able to experience the same thing because Gammell's illustrations have been stripped out and replaced by inferior, less emotionally impactful illustrations.

I'm just happy that I went out of my way as an adult to buy multiple compies of Gammell's version before they were pulled from shelves.

TO THE PUBLISHERS: Please make Gammell's version available to the public, so parents can make the choice about which version to buy their children. After over 3 decades, it would be so sad to see Gammell's version just disappear...

I'm only giving it a two (instead of a one) because they didn't change Alvin Schwartz's original stories, as far as I know, but I don't think those stories are nearly as effective with these new downright cute, Harry Potter-esque illustrations. All I can say is I'm glad I still have my original copies for my daughter to read when she's old enough in a few years, even if they're very well-worn from countless trips in backpacks and sleepover bags.

These books were defining elements of my childhood and most of my friends' as well. I think the first time I stayed up past midnight was because I was scared a bloody head would fall down the chimney, or an animated scarecrow would flay me and dry my hide on the roof, or the Wendigo would snatch me up in the air and roast me. So many people today think keeping children in some protective bubble until they're eighteen is in their best interests, that exposure to anything challenging, scary, or containing peanuts will scar them for life and produce a generation of soulless sociopaths. What these people forget is that when you're a kid being scared is FUN. Reading The Attic, or the Man Who Lived in Leeds, by flashlight, and pouncing on your nearest friend to scream AHHHHHH at the end was half the fun of slumber parties. Not to mention that as artwork, Gammell's illustrations were like Kathe Kollwitz meets Hieronymous Bosch meets James Ensor, in other words high octane nightmare fuel par excellence. By keeping them from future generations you're depriving them of exquisitely drawn artwork that affects you on a visceral level like little else can.

It occurs to me after reading through this that I apparently read more of this book when I was a kid than I did the first one. I remember a lot of the stories that were in here. It was kind of like taking a walk down memory lane for me. I still haven't figured out why any of these books were challenged to be banned, but I guess that's a whole other story. I fully recommend this book set to anybody who loves reading cute and spooky little stories. I can't wait to pass my copy on to someone when I'm done with the third book. I hope that they will bring as much enjoyment and entertainment to them as they did for me when I was a kid.

This trilogy of anthology folklore and scary stories is truly the reason I am an avid reader today. I must have read these books numerous times before upgrading to less juvenile stories. Although these books are the most frequently censored pieces of literature from the 90s, they are great for all ages. My nine-year-old has been enjoying them for a few years now. The original illustrations are somewhat creepy; however, that is definitely the reason I picked up the book and read the summary as a young child.

For all of those people who thought the pictures were too scary, stick with G rated films. I know several PG films, such as Labyrinth or Coraline, that would terrify this population. Half of the stories in this collection are far more comical than scary... For even younger readers, I suggest reading "A Dark, Dark Room" by Alvin Schwartz, whereas for much older, adult readers, I suggest "The Collection" by Bentley Little. Do not let your children read that one!!!

This is a revised edition of a book that was part of a series so famously gruesome that it was the most frequently challenged book of the nineties. This was not because of the stories themselves, which are mostly retellings of pretty well known urban legends and ghost stories, but because of the ORIGINAL artwork by Stephen Gammell.

Those illustrations are so lurid, frightening, and demented that several of them frighten me to this day, as an adult.

Helquist is a talented artist to be sure, but don't make the mistake of purchasing this new edition of More Scary Stories if you are truly looking to be scared: invest in an older copy: You won't regret it. (Unless of course you are buying it for a small child or nightmare-prone preteen, in which case I would NOT recommend the older editions.)

I remember reading these books as a first grader. First Grade! I loved them at the age of 7, and I love them now at 26. Yes, there were some sleepless nights, but that didn't stop me from picking up the book the next day! As others have said, what really stays with you is the art. To have taken the beautifully terrifying artwork and watered it down because some parents don't want to deal with their child having nightmares is a crime against children's literature. One star for this edition. The original gets five.

I'm not sure if it's accurate, but I've read that the new artwork is for the thirty year anniversary of these books. Happy Thirtieth Birthday to Schwartz and Gammell's masterpiece. For your present, you get your teeth removed.

I'll always appreciate the stories and the illustrations. I remember when I first got my hands on these books as a child and would bother myself by reading it. As an adult, some of these stories still get to me and others I have learned to understand them better. True classic book that everyone should read. Not many things make me feel uncomfortable, but this one always manages to.

To echo the sentiments of other reviewers, the orginal macabre illustrations were what made these books!, My highschool age son can't recall any of the stories but still talks about the "super creepy" pictures. Political correctness run amuck is the only explaination for the watering down of the imagery into something bland and banal. I truly hope the publisher reads these reviews if only to realize what a ridiculous decision changing the artwork was.

I am furious. I have just found out that this COWARDLY publishing company has taken what was, for many of us, a classic work of spooky children's literature and swapped out the Stephen Gammell illustrations for saccharine sweet, homogenized, overly sweet, not-even-remotely-spooky illustrations by Brett Helquist.

Many of us grew up with the Scary stories to tell in the Dark collection by Alvin Schwartz and were haunted by the gorgeous and creepy artwork of Stephen Gammell. Stephen's artwork is part of what made these books so haunting, so notorious. And now they have brutally altered these books beyond reprieve.

Not only did the cowards quietly change the artwork, after standing by the artistic integrity of this collection for thirty years, bu they do it for the thirtieth anniversary edition on-ward!

To change this is like changing the original Dr. Seuss Illustrations or the original Alice in Wonderland illustrations. it's just not right. This was a shameful movie by a cowardly company giving in to long standing pressure that the pictures were "too scary."

Brett Helquist is not a bad artist. But he was used here as a pawn for an overly politically correct move to make a collection of scary stories "tamer" and "more acceptable." A move that would have insulted the likes of Ray Bradbury.

If there is any integrity left at all they will restore the Stephen Gammell illustrations.

While the stories in the "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" book remain the same, the Stephen Gammell illustrations that haunted my imagination have been scrapped for more candy-coated pictures.

How candy-coated? Upon searching for the other tales of horror by Alvin Schwartz, "In A Dark, Dark Room", which was written for Level 2 of the "I Can Read!" children's collection, I found those water-colored images to be scarier than the cartoonish images in the re-release of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark."

I really can't add anything that the 60+ other one star reviews haven't already stated. I just felt it necessary to rate this book to counteract the high ratings that had accumulated before the publisher decided to ruin a classic. Really, this new version with the bland, sanitized illustrations should not be listed under the same listing as the original. If you read the reviews and look at their dates it is clear that the positive reviews Re dated pre-2011 ( before the book was censored) while the negative reviews are for the newer version.

Anyway, as others have said, it really isn't the stories that made this book great; it was the artwork. And though Alvin Schwartz's stories are fun, and their folklore roots are interesting, they are not particularly frightening or memorable. Stephen Gammell's unsettling artwork carried the book and terrified a generation of kids. And that was a GOOD thing. That was the point. If you don't want your kids reading it that is your responsibility. Book censorship is not the solution.

The Scary Stories series was one of the most challenged books of its time, putting it in the good company of classics like Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye, and Catch-22. The literary world would be a much poorer one if the publishers of those books and others had caved to pressure to censor or ban them. And it's a poorer world today since this classic children's series has been censored and sanitized. Frankly, I don't see these books being worthwhile or appealing to a new generation without the classic artwork. Harper Collins might as well have just taken them out of print to at least respect the integrity of the originals.

As a child I would stare at the Gammell's illustrations while re-reading each story over and over. The illustrations made this book much more imaginative and influential in my opinion. The new illustrations do not do this beloved set justice. I am extremely disappointed to find out that the original is out of print. Don't buy this for yourself or your kid. I loved these books so much when I was a kid, that I am actually going to write a letter (ON PAPER! with a stamp!!) to Harper Collins telling them about the role that crazy art had on my imagination and development as a creative person. Jeez. Absolutely terrible, the new illustrator must have no dignity to ruin this.

This is my first experience with Schwartz and the Scary Stories trilogy and I wasn't really sure what to expect as I actually picked this up as part of my reading list off of the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books (from 1990-2000). In some small way, I can see how this book (and the two others) get challenged by parents...there are some gross, gruesome, frightening, and creepy stories in this book...but (you knew it was coming...right) really, what's here, for the most part is pretty tame. For kids 8-12, this might be their first introduction to what (for most older children, adolescents and adults) are pretty standard, traditional campfire stories and urban legends. Further, they are the tamest and least embellished versions I think I've ever seen, so there is little actual gore. Probably the most frightening thing in this book are the illustrations...they are done in a style that is truly evocative of the theme...this is something that I really enjoyed about the book. Each illustration makes you squirm a bit, but then you look back and find yourself looking even more closely to pick out the details of each barely there illustration!

There are 29 stores covered in this book, all drawn (as the title indicates) from American Folklore (even some of the more contemporary ones like the hook and high beams), so it's a nice wide swath of scary folklore cut from the cloth of the American oral storytelling. In the first part of the book nearly every tale is by necessity one that should be told out loud around a campfire (as they require screaming, jumping at, or grabbing someone to "get them" at the end of the story). As the book progresses, more and more of the tales stand alone as reading material...but really each is just a bare-bones minimum of the story without any embellishments and are probably best enjoyed orally (also around a campfire or in a dark room with candles or flashlights) and embellished...having a group of kids take one story each and memorize it and tell it to the group would be a wonderful activity that Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark would lend itself to quite well!

Overall, Scary Stores to Tell in the Dark is a fine introduction to the oral tradition of folklore and urban legend. This book would make a fine addition to the library of anyone who regularly deals with kids in groups (particularly outdoors, like boy or girl scouts) and/or for group story telling...this book would provide a wonderful jumping off point for kids to learn a legend, folktale or urban legend well enough to tell out loud without reading and to encourage embellishment or discuss other versions (activity for older kids who are more familiar with the stories given and the many variations that are around). I give it four stars, as the text itself is rather uninspiring as a cover to cover, stand alone read...the illustrations are what saves it from getting three stars and as I said above, it's best use is as an introduction to folklore and/or as a way to increase one's repertoire of stores to frighten children with in those times and places where campfires, candlelight and flashlights rule the darkness!

First off, I must say that I used to read these books when I was younger (even though I'm still a kid). And the stories in this book are the original great stories, but the ILLUSTRATIONS the best part of the original version, have been CHANGED. That really sucks because the new pictures are so watered down they aren't scary anymore. The new title should be Not Scary Stories to Tell in the dark.

My honest opinion is that the illustrations are the scariest part of the book. I suppose sense I'm 36 and I love horror (having read a great deal of books and seen even more movies and TV shows which involve scary stories, folklore and urban legend. What Schwartz offers up here seems to be pretty traditional (or standard) urban legend/scary story fare. I think that this series (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories..., and Scary Stories 3) make a fine introduction to the campfire tales (those stories that have a "jump" at the end), urban legends (the hitchhiker type), and other similar fare for young readers from about age 9-14 or so. Older readers might not be at all scared by simply reading the book, but my understanding is that the audio book (voiced by George S. Irving) is quite good. I intend to give it a listen when it comes in from the library (for all three in this series). Overall, good introduction but I don't get what all the fuss is about and I certainly don't see why anyone would be trying to ban or censor this...there's more graphic and violent/scary stuff on TV. This is definitely worth a read for the "memory lane" feel one might get (I certainly did, there are a number of classics here) and for the illustrations as Gammell certainly has a style that manages to really make one's flesh crawl! I give it four stars...good but not great.

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:

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http://www.the store.com/Scary-Stories-Tales-Chill-Bones/dp/0060217944/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286345351&sr=1-8

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 the store. 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.

If you want to read a book about terrifying and hilarious stories, then you should read the book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz.

This book is about scary stories but funny stories too! Do you believe in ghosts and do you like hunting? Well then next time you go hunting watch out for the Wendigo. He'll call your name and you'll start going crazy and then he gets you! Do you like visiting haunted houses? Well next time don't go to one with a chimney and don't go with your dog because Me Tie Doughty walker will get you and your dog will die of fright. If you go to an apartment and someone calls your phone saying he's the Viper because he's just coming to vipe the vindows. Also when you go to a haunted hotel take a band-aid because some guy is going to come out of the closet with bloody fingers.

We would recommend this book to any body who likes hilarious and creepy stories. It makes you feel scared when spine-tingling parts happen and eager if something exciting is about to happen. We give it five stars because it's terrifying and electrifying. This report was by Marco, Tyler, and Justin.

Replacing Stephen Gammell's wonderful artwork is blasphemy to this iconic and nostalgic series of books. Anyone who read these books as a child knows that, even though the stories are great, the artwork is what kept you up at night. I know that soccer moms who believe that their children are porcelain statues that must not be harmed might not realize this, but being scared is NOT a bad a thing.

Without Gammell's amazing artwork, these collections of stories are useless. It's the same as reading 'The Cat and the Hat' with different illustrations. It's just doesn't work. That being said, Helquist (the illustrator of these copies) is still a great artist, but he has nothing on Gammell's thirty years of impact on children and adults alike.

Please, if you are new to these books, do yourself a favor and DO NOT purchase this version. Please search for the original copies and purchase them. Anyone who purchases these copies is just falling into the horrible sell-out of the publishing company. If there's any hope at all, the original copies will be reprinted once again alongside of these. If not, I really feel sorry for future generations.

Just so sad that the publisher bowed to the pressures placed by stupid, regressive helicopter parents who are raising a generation of sheltered brats. The original artwork made the books great, elevated them. I hope the publisher realizes what an asinine move they made and re-issue the original so the public can buy it without paying top dollar for the last remaining collectors editions.

Book Review for Scary Stories

If you want a spine tingling book this is the one for you. The awesome book Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz. Alvin Schwartz is the scariest author alive, from my point of view. This book is a top 10 rating because the author uses such descriptive words that I had chills running down my spine. Scary Stories is so good that I read it two times just to get every little detail out of all the stories. You should read this book because the stories are so descriptive. Some of them I wouldn¡¦t read at night.

My example of the theme is the story The Thing. The theme of this story is based on two boys that see a man with dark, ripped, muddy clothes on, in a

turnip field. The boys go up to see if it really is a man and ¡K you¡¦re going to have to read it to find out the rest.

The characters in the story are Ted Martin, Sam Miller, and The Thing. Ted and Sam were good friends. Ted¡¦s personality is a mama¡¦s boy personality. Sam is the kind of kid that will do anything. It doesn¡¦t say much about The Things personality so ill tell you what he looks like. The thing has sunk in eyes, yellow square teeth, rotting flesh, and black pants with black suspenders and a white shirt.

The setting is mostly in two places. One is on a fence by a post office. The other setting is in Ted¡¦s house hiding and the worst part is that it¡¦s dark out and everything gets scarier when it¡¦s dark out. Well I think it dose.

The story ends by¡K I don¡¦t know you will have to read the story. You have to read this book it is a bone chiller. Remember it¡¦s by Alvin Schwartz and it¡¦s called Scary Stories. Read it it¡¦s a series. ºº

This is a good book. I like it because it's full of scary stories. I kind of grew up around scary stories so I like supernatural things and thrilling things. That's why I like this book. I think that if you have a personality like mine, and love scary things, then you might just like this book. This book is all about scary stories, supernatural stories, scary pranks, scary things, etc. This book is a page turner; you can go on and on and not want to put this book down. For example, one story was about this girl named Ellen. One night she had just fallen asleep. She had heard a strange voice saying "Ellen I'm coming up the stairs." One by one she heard it saying how many stairs it was on. Until, finally it screamed "I'VE GOT YOU!" Ellen had screamed. Her dad runs in the room only to find, nothing was there.
Savannah T.

First off, let me state that I am so glad I am in far into college now. Luckily, I was in 4th grade at the right time I bought this from one of those Scholastic order sheets (remember those?), almost ten years ago before special interest groups got on the "ban everything we deem offensive or intelligent to children" bandwagon.
Anyways, I recently found this book in a box of old books and, looking through it, it was just as chilling to the spine now as it was around 8 or so years ago when I was a wee lad. Of course, now I'm 19 and the stories seem sort of not so scary, but that's just my picky-eating with dark literature (being more accustomed to Lovecraft and more sophisticated horror and all that).
However, the charcoal drawings are what make this book what it is. Stephen Gammell (does he have an online gallery or a book full of illustrations like this? i'm soon checking!) has done an excellent job at creating immensly subtly-disturbing visuals with his illustration skills that seems to amplify the effect of the otherwise cheesy (but still fun) bonfire horror stories.
If the stories don't scare the bejesus out of you, the ghostly apparitions and deformed nightmarish landscapes portrayed within the illustrations will definately make you want to buy several halogen lamps and keep them turned on at night with perhaps a garlic necklace around you when you go to sleep.
If I recall, the scariest illustration was a full-page charcoal drawing next to a story called "Oh, Suzannah!", almost like something weird going on in a parallel supernatural dimension from some mental patient's hallucinatory nightmare.
Either way, this book has redeeming qualities for both folk/urban literature enthusiasts as well as dark-fantasy-art enthusiasts. I heavily recommend it!

This is an outrage!!! Buy the original, the reprints are done by a different illustrator and it ruins the anniversary additions.
The stories themselves aren't that scary, its the psychedelic art that causes you to warp the story in your head to the point where you cant look at an empty chair or out a window anymore. Thats why these books were so good, if you take away the art, they're no different than the thousands of other ghost story collections. However, at this time, I'm also looking at the original, and they contain the same reviews as this one (the reprint). So if you are looking at the original (the one where the illustrator is Stephen Gammell) than don't be fooled by all these bad reviews.

I love Brett Helquist. His illustrations for A Series of Unfortunate Events, for example, are wonderful. However, his work does not belong here. Stephen Gammell's illustrations are really what made these books the classics that they are (no offense meant to Alvin Shwartz). I will be looking for copies with the proper illustrations as soon as I can find them.

Scary Stories to Tell in the dark
by:Alvin Schwartz
This is a great horror book for ages 12 through 16.
If you are a girl you would like The White Satin Evening Gown.
This story is about a girl that is going to a dance so she rent's a dress and dies.
If you are a boy you would like The Big Toe.
This story is about a little boy that goes in to the garden and finds a toe and then they put it in a soup.
1 out of 5 stars in my opinion i would choose 5 stars.

Truly startling. I was reading it to my 20 year old brother and at the end of the story when I jumped at him, as instructed by the book, he screamed and kicked me with a glancing blow of self defence in the head. I am an 18 year old girl (using my father's account). Due to my minor concussion I am now restricted to bed. With this blessing of bed rest I am able to write this book a glowing review. Quality fun for the family. Enjoy but use responsibly.

This is just abysmal... Taking what was THE definitive horror trilogy for the 90s and changing the artwork because tightwad parents disapproved. Don't let your kids read the books if you don't like them, but ruining it for EVERY kid born after 2000? What a sign of the times... Family Guy/American Dad in the Simpsons spot, Twilight saga in the X-Files spot, Hunger Games sweeping Battle Royale under the rug, and now this...

Scary Stories to tell in the dark

How would you like to be woken up by the sound of a ghost walking up the stairs toward your room? I wouldn't, but reading about it is fun. If you are a enthusiastic reader you might never get a chance to put it down. This book is full of fantasy and legends that have been passed down for years, but some of them are from recent times. A haunt, a man that is killed by a white wolf, and a priest in a church full of living dead. My personal favorite story is The Window. In this story a girl living with her brothers sees a creature that looks like a man stand up in the moonlight. Megan doesn't think it will return and goes back to sleep. Then later in the night the creature returns and closer, Megan wants to run but is afraid it will break in before she could escape. She goes back to sleep again. At about midnight Megan hears a scratching at her window, she runs but-but you will have to read the rest to find out what happens. Since the author is the most thrilling one alive these are the most thrilling stories ever to be on the face of the earth.

By Ellie

I remember this book and its sequel well,not sure if I read the third one.As a kid I loved it yet it brought me into a world of dread.I know I slept with the light on at times.I do not know why these books have been so etched into my subconscious.They definitely have.Alot of todays kids are fans of GooseBumps.Nothing at all scary about those.The pics and stories are usually comical.These books are entirely different.They are like party invite cards from beyond the veil of death.Some of the stories are old and well known.The stories alone do not make them frightening it is the illustrations with the stories.Even if you are an adult and love horror check these books out!The illustrations could give all of you nightmares.So when you see them think of how a kid would feel looking at them.They are more scary than alot of images in horror movies. Ahhh but to describe the illustrations.Ever seen the silent German Expressionist film Nosferatu?If so you know that it is scarier than any vampire flick now.He has a Demonic rodent look.It gave you the feeling of being in a nightmare.Being in a world which you have no control.Well that is the effect of these illustrations.If Salvador Dali and Max Ernst ever were to see these books they would love them.The illustrations are all black and white.Many leering and decaying corpses.Everything distorted by mist amorphous shapes which you can make slight details on emerging from the fog.I remember the illustration to one of the stories called "Oh Susanna",I have not seen anything like it.It is worthy of an art gallery.It creates feelings of dizzines and a transcendent euphoria if you were to sit and stare at it.Utterly horrible yet you are hypnotized as it strikes you with its venom.As I said if you are a fan of late German Expressionism or Surrealism you will cherish this book.Is it suitable for kids?Yes older ones and ones that can handle this sort of thing.Regardless of that you need not be a kid to enjoy this.... In conclusion if you love horror as much as I do BUY THIS BOOK!You will not be disappointed.

This book, and its two sequels, were the hottest books around when I was in elementary school. Scary stories with even scarier illustrations that are still haunting (I'm 20 at this writing) today. The stories, retold by a masterful Alvin Schwartz in a kid friendly format provided me with more than one nightmare as a child. And I loved every terror filled second! The 29 macabre stories, poems, and songs are a great introduction to the Horror genre for young readers that will have them literally screaming for more! The incredibly dark and startling illustrations by Stephen Gammell are just as, if not more memorable than the stories themselves. Especially for "The Thing", "The Haunted House", "Wait Till Martin Comes", and "The Ghost With the Bloody Fingers". So if your kid needs a reason to read instead of vegging in front of the tv or video games look no further than this wonderfully scary series!

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark didn't really have much of a plot, since it is a collection of short stories. In one of the stories, The Girl who Stood on the Grave, the plot is a girl was given a dollar to prove that if you stand on a grave, then the person who's grave it was wouldn't grab you and pull you under. She was to stick a knife in the grave so her friends know she was there. She put the knife through the grave, and tried to get away, but she that she was being held back, and she died of fright. The setting is at a graveyard at night. The conflict is that the girl tried to prove the fact that if you stand on a grave at night, then the person under it will pull you in wrong. It wasn't resolved, but the girl died of fright because she thought she was being pulled under, when she had just put the knfe through her dress on accident.

These three books meant the world to me growing up, and a lot of my creative imagination I owe to these three books. I recently went to purchase these and was shocked at the whitewashing of these 30 some-odd year old books' art. What made the originals so unique was the absolutely masterful art that went with the stories. What a shame. Shame on the publisher and shame on the increasingly paranoid society that thinks that anything legitimately scary or unnerving should be locked away somewhere, never to see the light of day.

Find the originals. One tattered page of the originals is better than the whole series of this spineless crap.

Re-releasing this series with a new illustrator was a terrible idea and, frankly, completely missing the point of the originals. The stories themselves are a collection of sleepover tales and urban legends which, when taken alone, aren't particularly frightening. For those of us who enjoy this series, it was the original illustrations from the twisted mind of Stephen Gammell that made these "Scary Stories" truly scary; without them, the book is laughable. Helquist may be a talented enough artist, but he can't hope to duplicate the underlying terror of Gammell's illustrations.

This is not quite the same book that many of us remember from our childhoods.

The stories are still the same, traumatizing, memorable, and bizarre, but without the grotesque original illustrations they don't have nearly the same awful power. That's not to say that the new illustrations are bad, far from it. They're perfectly competent, some are even quite good. But they aren't SCARY. The original illustrations were positively shocking, and even now that I'm a 30 year old adult they still give me the willies. When I was a kid, there were some I could hardly bare to look at. I imagine that this is why they were replaced, but it was this same quality that made the books a sort of right of passage for children of my generation. Without them, the books are still good, but they are no longer iconic.

Forget Alvin Schwartz!!! The stories in these books are merely collected from folklore. They're nothing but old campfire tales. They are told in a very basic format that didn't invoke any feelings of fear in my little 12 year old mind back in good old '92. Hey, I even think there was some sort of appendix in the back that provided more real-world explainations of some of the stories or where the old folklore came from. H.P. Lovecraft said that the greatest fear is fear of the unknown. I'll say that the stories alone would have given these books maybe three stars. It's the pictures. They are so beautifully crafted and surreal. You can't quite make out the details, yet at the same time, everything that is rotten or dilapidated stands out right away. I have never seen the style anywhere else, not in any art book, not in any museum, not in any history book, nothing!!! Stephen Gammell is truly an artist. I don't care about all those artists that slap a bunch of shapes together and then give it some fancy name. So the style's original, but TRUE art is what envokes real EMOTIONS in us, whether it's music, movies, or pictures. Music is often celebrated for its technical complexity. Well that is worthless if I don't FEEL anything when I listen!! It's the same with these pictures. I could look at Picasso all day and not feel a thing, but all I have to do is pick up one of these three books without even reading the stories and I already know great art when I see it. Contained within these volumns is a world where the eyeless, skinless dead emerge from the night-mist half-rotten with long hair flying. Even the living people in these pictures look diseased. Even now, the pictures in these books make me afraid to be alone. Never in my life have I experienced such gripping trepidation. Have you ever SMELLED fear? It's like old copper. Bow down to the all-powerful Stephen Gammell. Actually, I will say that there are some stories that do scare me without the aid of the pictures. There is one in the first book about heads falling down the chimney. You hear a voice approaching in the woods, and then down it comes. The Window in the second book has gotten me afraid of dark windows at night, and the picture to that one? Oh boy, weeeeeee!!!!!!! All in all, get this book for the sheer art contained therein. Warning though: 9 years old is too young. The pictures present a problem, because since they are in a book written for children, they could be classified as child-abuse.

I am 23 years old, and was introduced to this fine series of books a little over ten years ago. Although my personal favourite is "More Scary Stories...", still, I cannot discredit this fine work. The scares in this book will linger well upon first reading, and are chillingly simplistic. From tales of revenge, love and humour, this collection is the perfect gift for any child OVER the age of ten (due to some impressively graphic material). As for the book's impressionist illustrations, this book along with the sequels, deserves praise and accolades for its ominous depictions of evil, courtesy of Stephen Gammel. It astounds me how craftily he mutates the ordinary into something far more sinister (refer to his gruesome portrayal of a wedding dress for proof). To sum: a children horror masterpiece.

I am now 20-years old, and over the weekend I enjoyed a bonfire with family. Everyone wanted to hear a scary story, but no one could remember any good ones. I immediately thought of this book, and regret not still having it.
Moms, dads, kids, librarians! THIS IS THE BEST BOOK for anyone who likes an ORIGINAL, old-fashioned scary story to tell in the dark!
When I was around ten-years old, every single time I went to the library I would look for Schwartz's name in the card catlaog.
Please, please delight your kid(s) with the best scary stories ever!!
Seeing the illustrations alone could creep anyone out.
I know it sounds like I'm really trying to sell this book, but TRUST ME, I'm not related to or friends with anyone that makes money off this book. I just want kids everywhere to have the same fond and freaky memories!

If you love reading scary stories, this book is for you.
If you have read and are a fan of the Scary stories to tell in the dark series, this book is perfect for you.
Because I would consider this book the today's Scary stories to tell in the dark book for today's young generation.
It consists of spine chillers that contain some twisted humor.
The drawings inside are wicked looking as well.
Perfect for reading and sharing at sleep overs. Or just reading it alone under a blanket with a flashlight to keep the slithering shadows away.
This is a good book for Grade school Middle school and even High school kids.
I recommend teaches to get this book for their English reading classes, and even for study hall.

At the library, I checked out the first book on tape and I loved it!! So then I bought the book and I loved it!!!! I took away one star because the stories wern't the best, but great nontheless! My favorites in this collection are the white wolf, Me Tie Dough-ty walker!, Alligators, A New Horse, The White Satin Evening Gown and High Beams. I think Alvin Schwartz is a talented author and Stephen Gammel is a very talented artist. His drawings honestly should be in a museum. I have read many scary books like these and the writing is horrible and the drawings are too. But Schwartz's style of writing and Gammel's style of illustrations really capture the eeriness of folklore.Bottom line:these books are worth a looksee if you haven't read them yet. Great book, great series!

While I do admit that these stories are no longer capable of scaring me, I also understand the fact that...this is a children's book. That being said, if you are not 12 and under, you might find some of the stories rather bland-- especially if you're a serious horror fan.

Anyway, this book is great for campfire/sleepover/Halloween party-type settings. They're pretty short, but still quite enjoyable. My father read these books to my siblings and I as children during the month of October, and they scared the crap out of us.

The illustrations....weird, scary, freaky stuff. Bottom line. In my opinion, the pictures are even scarier than the actual stories. I'm 26 now, and some of them still creep me out to this very day. So, if you're intending to read these stories aloud, then make sure that you show the pictures to add to the scare factor.

Overall, I still enjoy this collection of stories. I highly suggest giving them a shot.

When I was in elementary school, in the years between 1993 and 1995, when I was in grades 3-5, you were a loser if you hadn't read these books. Every single person I knew loved them and they were among my favorites. They were, that is, until my best friend came over to spend the night one night at the end of the fifth grade. She took one look at one of Stephen Gammell's gloriously horrific illustrations and threw the book down in disgust. She was scared to death and after about 5 minutes, I was as well. We shoved them under the couch cushions and had to watch 'The Flintstones' to calm down. I never looked back at them after that and sold them at our garage sale the next year to the neighbor-boy across the street. I didn't think of them again until mid-September of this year. I saw one of them at a used bookstore but didn't buy it because it was in horrible condition. I regret getting rid of these wonderful books and will be spending some time buying them back. I recommend them to anyone on the face of this earth. I can almost guarantee that you will love them.

The original books contained haunting, even downright frightening illustrations that still disturb me to this day. They made these stories scary. They were original, artistic, beautiful and downright horrifying, and have been replaced by bland, boring, and shamefully dull. If you want something that will scare you, find a copy of this book with the original artwork by Stephen Gammel.

Scary Story Series

4 star rating

The scary story series by Alvin Schwartz are extreme books that keep you on the edge of your seat. Each book from the series contain many spooky tales that will make you shiver. One of the books from the series is called, "Scary Story's to tell in the dark." If you enjoy being frightened or anxious, you should read this book, but if you get scared easily, you may not want to read it. Many of the stories in this book include the dead, blood, noises, and other scary things that may frighten kids under five or sensitive people who get scared greatly. So mainly, you just have to choose to read it based on who you are as a person. If you do like these type of stories, this book is good for halloween parties, camping, sleep-overs, or just for fun when you feel like reading. I really enjoyed this book, you will to.

I remember reading these as a kid and then buying all of them a few years later. The stories were great the illustrations were creepy, and like a lot of reviews, my little brother was scared of that picture in the haunted house story. well, ok it was pretty darn ugly. This is one of those books that still gives me the chills especially fro mthose pictures? oh what a warped mind that artist had but what creative drawings they are!
Now, if you think the books are scary, try listening to the cassettes. i am in my twenties and the voice of the narrator and that creepy music gives me the willies. try listening to it in a room by yourself, and see how long it takes you to run for the door! The Scary Stories and More Scary Stories cassetes (i am not kidding) it is a kid's tape and that music will creep you out. listen to it! pick up the book follow along and see how long you last!

Don't waste your time or money. Buck up and spend the extra for an original Stephen Gammell illustrated version. If you're buying it for a kid who may in fact be a total wiener, then by all means get this one. But then, why are you buying the little wiener horror stories?
Stephen Gammell's version will help develop a child's hippocampus and exercise their innate terror response. This one is lame.

This is NOT the original version of the book! If you are a fan of the original with Stephen Gammell's twisted imagery, and are purchasing mostly for that aspect, don't fall for buying this. The illustrations by Bret Helquist in the newer editions do not hold up as good accompaniment to the stories, they are too mild and unimaginative. Please avoid buying this if you have respect at all for the older artwork and believe it should not be censored.

My book is the best book ever! It is called Scary Stories to tell in the Dark. Since there is more than one story you can never get bored with it. There is a scary part of about 5 chapters long, and there is a funny part. (It is only one chapter.) One of the scary stories you will love is the White wolf. In this story a pack of wolves keep eating farmers' sheep. Then a butcher says he will help get rid of the sheep even though he has retired from hunting. I will not tell you any more of the story, you will just have to read it. One of the funny stories is the Viper. In this story a widower gets a phone call from the Viper, and he calls about 3 times. Then the widower calls the police. I will not tell you any more, but I will tell one more thing. I highly and truly recommend this book. On a scale of 0-10 I would give this a 9.

So, there's this story-teller called Maurice Sendak. Maybe you've heard of him? A great teller of tales that man. A great writer for children. Everyone loves Where the Wild Things Are. but his illustrations...oof. I mean, the poor little tykes can't handle that business. Monsters on an island! WILD THINGS? TOO MUCH. so, we've got together, and we've hired a guy who just draws soft, purple blobs. Soft blobs. On an island! calming lavender blobs for the boys and girls to enjoy. While their parents drive them to dance class in the mini van. Or karate practice. Or music lessons. In the mini van. Because kids shouldn't have intense experiences! No sir. Life and intensity begin at age 18. Before then....keep calm, do your extracurriculars, and please enjoy these soft lavender blobs, provided by the management for your pleasure.

Look, this illustrator is the definition of okay. He's competent! And his illustrations for Lemony Snicket are fun? Safe? But when we experience good art, even as children...it's not a safe experience. It's a charged experience. It might even be an upsetting experience. But most of all, it is an experience. This illustrator doesn't have the chops to bring us an experience. Real art isn't some vaguely pleasurable image we consume and move on from. It stays with us. In the 90s, these books stayed with me. The stories and illustrations complimented each other so well. They were one of the reasons I became an artist! And now they've removed half of what made these books great. And they did it because they don't trust children. That's the only explanation that makes sense. They don't trust children. And they forget that children engage with art for the same reasons that adults engage with art. Kids want catharsis, wonder and horror, they want to FEEL something, Just like adults. But what they get instead, apparently, is purple blobs. Boo. A hundred thousand times boo.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a book with some really scary stories. When I started reading this book I could not put it down. I especially liked the story about the Haunted House because it was scary. When I was reading this story I actually felt a chill going down my back. Some of the stories in this book weren't very scary though. Some of the stories are alike. But altogetherthis book was pretty good. Some of the stories are really funny like the Big Toe. This book is filled with short scary stories. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes or enjoys scary stories. I even recommend this book to people who don't enjoy scary stories very much because this book will make you like scary stories.

I used to love these books as a child, they were creepy and surreal and most of that was due to the illustrations by Stephen Gammell. I can picture some of the drawings and they are STILL creepy. WHY mess with perfection? It was a perfect one-two punch of story and picture, and now they look pretty generic. Not NEARLY macabre enough. If you can find it, get the original illustrations, they'll skeeve you out properly!

I remember reading this for the first time, when i was very young, maybe 3rd grade, 1993, and it was the scariest thing book(before i experienced exorcist) I think what made this book so scary to me was because i had a very active imagination, and i could picture all the events going on, while i was reading it. recently, i found my old copy in the garage now, 11 years later, i read it, and i didnt' find it scary at all. I thought it would have been scarier maybe if the author had elaborated more on the stories, and gave more details to the envirement and atmosphere of the story. Every story in the book ends very abruptly, and it doesn't send any chill up my spine. i'll give you an example, one story ends "the next day they were found dead" thats it.. I give this book 4 stars because i liked it so much when i was a kid, but when you're an adult, you should expect more in a book. Most of the stories here can be read in less than 3 minutes, ( i remember it taking me more than a half hour when i was 7) and they aren't very satisfying. If you're a parent, buy the book for your kids, sometimes its good to be scared, kids have better imaginations than adults, and this book is great just for them. by the way, the drawings are sick, and maybe thats why this book is banned from many schoools, i doubt its the stories.
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SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK has classic campfire stories, such as ''The Hook'', and ''Me-Tie Daughty Walker'' along with lesser known tales like ''Alligators'' and ''May I Carry Your Basket''? Some stories are funny, such as ''The Viper'' (I've come to vipe your vindows) and ''The Ghost With Bloody Fingers'' (cool it dude, get a band-aid) while others are genuinely spooky, like ''The Guests'' and ''Cold as Clay''. The book was clearly intended for reading out loud, many stories even have tips for the reader, such as when to raise and lower your voice. Stephen Gammell's pictures are mysterious and darkly beautiful. I highly recommend this book for those looking for a spooky read aloud.

Ever since I was very young, I adored ghost stories and when I was in first grade my father used to take me to the local library every Wendsday night. The librarian knew I was fond of scary books, and recommended we check this book out and read it.

The instant we got home, I begged my father to read the book to me. He agreed, and read the whole thing. It scared me a little, but I loved the stories in this book very much. The illustrations are beautiful, despite being very gloomy- like something Tim Burton would draw. The best stories in this book are the following:

THE GUESTS: A newlywed couple get a late start, and end up renting a room in the house of an elderly couple. The next morning they leave and go out to breakfast. There they discover that their hosts had died in a fire years before...

HIGH BEAMS: A high-school girl finds out a murderer is lurking in her backseat.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE: A priest goes to put a ghost to rest, only to discover the truth behind the ghosts' tragic tale...

I would say that children ages 7-12 should read this. Any younger can become scared by the stories, and illustrations. But if younger children are mature enough, they can handle this book. BUY IT!!!!!!!

The second in the Scary Stories series, this one has even darker stories and even spookier illustrations than the first! Pure nightmare inducing fun for youngsters (and even us adults, I must admit). These books are written in perfect, around the campfire brevity, which only adds to their greatness. A must for any kid who plans on going to overnight summer camp! Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell ought to be honored for bringing young kids such a memorable approach to spook stories! The scariest illustrations in this volume are for "One Sunday Morning", "Somebody Fell From Aloft", "Clinkity-Clink", "The Bride", and "Oh, Susannah!". A must have for the young Horror fan!

I adored these books growing up and the publishers should be ashamed of themselves for changing exactly what made them classics. I would have forgotten about them years ago if it weren't for the haunting illustrations. I took them camping, to slumber parties, they were fantastic and terrifying: which was the whole point. To be scared.

I have nothing against the new artist and his work in general, but this is not the place for it. To change what made a book a classic for it's 30th anniversary is insane. I can't imagine what they were thinking.

If parents are afraid their kids can't handle these books in their original form, they have simply to not buy them books that are meant to be scary or maybe, you know, flip through the book before you hand it to your child. Which is a sad thing anyway, I've seen nothing good come of raising children in a nerfed world, but still.

There is no excuse whatsoever to censor such an eerie, memorable, and nostalgic children's book.

I cannot for the life of me understand why they would get rid of the original, incredible illustrations. That is what MADE the book. What kept me up at night. What still gives me the chills. I can only guess that the publisher succumbed to the pressure of idiotic helicopter parents who only want their special snowflake to read books containing unicorns, kittens and rainbows. This is a book of scary stories for those who do not want to be scared. Extremely disappointing.

I was first introduced to this book when I was in elementary school, and quickly became hooked on the entire series (there are three "Scary Stories" books by Schwartz). These are stories - macabre and scary, with some scary songs and some funny tales thrown in - that are, as the title says "collected from American folklore." These stories put me on a path of studying folklore in my spare time that continues today, and I really came to appreciate folktales and American lore as a result of reading these.

A word of caution, however - while these books are a lot of fun, I remember being very, very scared by some of them, and that is no exaggeration. I urge you to use your discretion. However, this is still a great book, and recommended to be read a loud.

This is being written mostly in protest of the re-print. The stories in these series were always a little dull. But the art, the art was fantastic, and now they've taken it away. I dont have my old copies any more and now the old books are going for outrageous sums. I wanted to get these books for my kids someday--not any more.

This is the greatest collection of scary stories for kids and pre teens ever. I have collected many scary stories books through out my childhood and this is the only one whos storys have actually stuck with me and the only ones i can remember. Every book in the series , this one , more scary storys to tell in the dark and scary stories 3 are all good. The storys were so creepy i can still remember them to this day and i have recently got the other scary stories books so i can see if they were as good as i remember and they are. I first got this book when i was about 10 years old and lost it over the years then i re ordered a copy and the stories still have same effect and value as i remember. They have great illustrations and even some songs in a couple of the books. I used to stay up at night and read this with my friend and we would read the stories to eachother , i was so excited cause the book was so good and most of the stories gave me chills and i was not one to scare easy. For 6 bucks this is well worth it and the memories and storys will last forever.

My daughters and I drive around with these tapes all of October to get us into the mood---c'mon, you've got a whole month to prep for Halloween; even if these days they start with Halloween in July... Fun for kids, even as young as 4-5. Not "scary" in the true sense, but enough for them to appreciate these stories and have fun with them. Plus, Mr. Schwartz, whose voice you might recognize as the narrator to oft-played, "A Christmas Story" on Dec. 25th, makes for a delicious storyteller. Excellent for Halloween fun! I wish these audiotapes were more readily available--we'd have them all!

First of all, at 14 years old, I have never been the most courageous of all, especially when it comes to ghost stories and psychological fear, the fear that lurks in your head; I have ALWAYS possessed that peculiar human craving to be scared out of my wits by a good ghost story, but like the human I am, have more often than not chickened out before getting to the "punchline" of the tale.

One day in 5th grade, that craving devoured my hesitation and, like a magnet, I was drawn to pick up "Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark" from my teacher's bookshelf, a book that I had never heard of until then. But oh, it has remained tatooed to my memory since that cold winter day in 5th grade.

Yes, I know it sounds pretty wussy-ish to be so creeped out by a storybook (especially now that I'm 14), and maybe that's just me, but that is how undeniably weird an experience it was to read that book. And my judgement of the book is not by any means negative; I commend the author for the outstandingly professional story-telling method with which he has compiled these already-chilling urban myths. None of the stories I remember were flat-out, in-your face, machete-slashing gore fests, but on the contrary were subtle enough to let my imagination soar, and the imagination is really what can drive you insane. Mr. Schwartz handled that part masterfully, no questions asked.

But (and I say this with a chuckle for those who have yet to open this book), if Alvin Schwartz's storytelling doesn't whet your ghostly appetite, the illustrations by Mr. Stephen Gammell will gorge you. They, without a shadow of a doubt, are what gripped me and forced me to continue reading, just because of how bizzarely shocking they are. I remember extremely clearly sitting in my desk, in the center of the classroom, 23 cheerful kids all around me, and a teacher sitting at the front desk--and I still shivered the entire time. I remember having to fold the book back while reading "The Thing" so as not to stare at that horrible, smiling corpse staring back at me. And I remember to this day jumping startled when I turned the page to view the menacing two-page illustration for "The White Wolf." Even a humorous, light-hearted joke/story like "The Viper" made me shift in my seat a little simply because of the bizarre gothic-theme picture next to it. It is quite obvious that these stark, ghostly black n white drawings were a labor of love for Mr. Gammell, and I can picture him giggling devilishly as he imagined his viewers' reactions. Believe me folks, if the stories don't do it for ya, these darn pictures will assuredly hit the spot dead center.

As I have stated, although this book did indeed make me a little bit more quiet for a few days following its reading, my opinion is not negative, obviously, or it wouldn't have recieved 5 stars; I relished this book, and still relish it. It is quite a masterpiece in its genre, and I applaud the writer and illustrator for compiling such a chiller. It's one of those books that'll make you want to leave the light on when you go to bed, or not go to bed at all with the possibility of encountering nightmares. It really plays on the imagination of the human being, and fully alerts and engages that imagination, in such a way that the only words I can think of to describe it are "pretty darn creepy".

Very highly reccomended to anyone who has that craving for a good ol' fashioned shiver, and I'm sure it would prove itself undoubtedly worthy especially during events such as sleepovers and camp-outs. This is the psychological stuff that makes Freddy and Jason look like Billy and Mandy.

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.

I grew up on these books and the biggest part of their allure and charm was the nightmarish and frightening artwork by Stephen Gammell. I am EXTREMELY disappointed that they are being re-drawn with a washed out and flowered up style. Please take my advice and buy the original, it is definitely worth it, I promise. I think it is sad that some children will never know the original drawings because parents are too uptight and make a big fuss about them. Too sad. They are SUPPOSED to be scary, you know?

These stories are fantastic, and the original accompanying illustrations take the creep value to a while new level. Unfortunately, while the artwork in this version is well drawn and would be great in many other books, it does nothing for these stories. If anything, it takes away from them. Taking time to look at the illustrations while reading actually cuts the suspense. I really think the book would be better without illustrations if the ones in this version are the alternative. Very disappointing.

This is a mini review for the original print of this book. For a more in depth review please visit my horror movie/book blog listed in my profile...

I seemed to remember these being more ghostly in nature, and not so brief. A great read for children - it WILL spook them. But probably not a good read or reread for adults. It was nice to revisit some of the stories from my childhood, but I will look elsewhere for classic ghost stories. I do remember them being a lot better then they were.

While the stories are good, what made these books for me as a kid and most people I know was the artwork. MAN, they scared the crap out of me as a kid as well as everyone else. The new artwork is generic Harry Potter-esque and has none of the unadulterated creepiness the original one had. Get the ones with the original art folks, there is a whole new generation out there to be as freaked out as we were.

This is one of my favorite scary story books EVER! I don't know about recommending this book to youngsters because it does have some very eerie illusions and spooky tales in it. However, as an 18 year old reviewer, this book rocks! It really does come in handy at sleep overs, camps, and on Halloween nights. It gives me the chills even after all these years and I can't get enough of it. I would recommend this book to younger teenagers and adults who like this sort of thing. It's cool! And what else can I say? The title of the book says it all: SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK.

When I was at the library at my school ,
I seen Scary Stories to tell in the Dark on one of the book shelf.People always say "don't judge a book by it's cover",(but I did any way).I got the book and left.I read the book and loved it.Then one day I went to a book store and seen The Scary Stories Treasury that was a book with all three Scary Story books.I got it and went home.after awhile I read alot of the stories to my little brother .He got really scared (and still is)
of the Harold story.He can't even sleep alone any more .So I reccomend you watch what you read.

I bought the paperback "boxed set" -- I guess it is an 'omnibus' edition -- to add to my story-telling repertoire - my kids and the cub scouts seem to like to hear ghost or scary stories sometimes. Most of them follow the standard formulary. I like the author / collector's notes / bibliography - very helpful as I like to know the origin of the story. It is also very interesting that the same story / theme can be found in many variations from different sources / countries.

What I own may be a different version than what is advertised here.

Not only are these not the original books, but the picture is of the OLD Gammell book, not the new, watered-down Helquist versions, leading some to believe they are buying one book when in fact they are buying another. Change the cover picture so people know what they are buying.
As for the pictures, so what if you are creeped out by the pictures; some kids(surprise surprise!) thought that the pictures were awesome, myself included. Kids shouldn't have to have everything sanitized, especially their books.

When i was in elementary school, I would get this book,and the sequels, from the library and renew them until the end of the year. Thats how good they are. This one in particular. The drawings to this day give me shivers, and are perfectly gothic in nature. For young preteens and younger, this will give pleasurable shivers and creepies, and plenty of nightmares. Gives children a reason to read. I've noticed that even young adults enjoy this book; though it is in easy kiddie writing, it is very enjoyable and entertaining. ... i love the pictures. Recommeneded to any adult out there who wants their children to read. This book will always stay a favorite for me.

I didn't know whether to give it five stars for the authors' success of creating perfect horror or no stars for frightening the bajeebas out of me years ago. to tell you the truth, i haven't read it since then. the pictures were terrifying! and i remember...this picture. is there a story called the Haunted House? if so, i think i remember the most horrifying picture in the world in the content of that story. i'm going to rent it again, now that im 17, but im still a taaaad afraid. anway, its pretty impressive if you like that sort of thing!

With respect to Alvin Schwartz, there's nothing terribly inspired about the writing, but it is a children's book and I adored it when I was young. What made these books incredible, was Stephen Gammell's artwork, of which I'm still a huge fan. I was very young when I was given these books for the first time and I would poor over the images, staring at each one. And yes, they scared me. But that was the fun! They didn't traumatize me, they just scared me in a delightful way. Releasing a new edition of this work without Gammell's art is like slapping two plain pieces of bread together and calling it a sandwich.

Any storyteller can tell you that there's little point in telling scary stories without proper atmosphere. Scary stories are told at night around campfires or in darkness lit only by a single flashlight. When reading this book of folktales, you lose the advantage of total darkness and the timing and tone of a storyteller's voice. What made up for the lack were the strange and frightening illustrations of Stephen Gammell. This edition of the book replaces those with far tamer illustrations. Reading it now is akin to telling a scary story while sitting poolside at noon with all your buddies, there's very little impact or involvement for the reader.

I hope someday that Harper Collins will bring back the illustrations that truly made these stories scary, but until then I cannot recommend this edition.

This book came out a long time ago. I read it when it first came out and it introduced me into the world of ghosts and and lore. I was 12 years old then in 1982 and even now when I pick it up to read....it still takes me back to the feeling...when I first picked it up and sent shivers down my spine...in a fun way of course. The stories and the drawings were perfect together. A great book. I have all 3 volumes now and I hope he comes out with a 4th one soon.
Thanks Alvin and Stephen for scaring the pants off of me when I was 12.

I haven't bought this from the store, but I got the book many years ago when I was in elementary school. The drawing of the dead woman with the hollowed out eyes was so creepy to me that I wouldn't look at it. I sometimes had my sister read me the story and she had to fold that page over. The illustrations really were most of the book.

This isn't the original art for these books. They hired a cheap hack to make the illustrations "less scary". The original had a better artist and better illustration. Dont waste your time on this pussified version.

I guess I picked up the first 2 books in 3rd grade, around 91 or 92, I dunno. I read these books over and over, every night for awhile, until I moved in with my dad when I was 11. When I moved back with my mother at 14, I was looking through my old stuff, when I see "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" plus its 2 sequals! "Woah!" I say "My 3 favorite childrens books!" I read them all out again in the space of about 2 hours...I read fast. Though I did not get the chill I used to, the stories are still excellent! Stephen Gammells illustations are down right eerie, and thats good, for they bring out the true horror in some tales. As a child, I was scared to death of the picture of the skeleton in "The Haunted House", the scariest thing that ever entered my innocent lil mind LOL. My favorite stories are: "Me-ti-do-tee-Walker", "Wait til Martin Comes", "Harold", and "The Attic", but I love all of them, "Wait til Martin comes" being my personal favorite. Im just the kind of person to think.."What would happen if Martin came?" or "What was in that guys attic?" Oh well, I recommend these books to anyone who wants a good scare, or likes to read creepy folk-lore. To bad I can't find more on some of the folk-tales on the net...Oh well, see you later, and do whatever it takes to get a copy of this book!

I have very fond memories of reading this when I was young. I was thrilled when I found it again. Then I noticed the art had been changed. Granted the stories are still just as good, but the artwork was what really sealed the deal for scares for me. I would love to get these books and read them again, but I refuse to buy them without the original artwork.

Alvin Schwartz goes back into the rich history of urban legends once again and offers up a wonderful collection of many stories I previously had never heard of before as a child. Artist Gammell again captures the sickening essence of the stories with illustrations both haunting and disturbing... yet always fascinating! Again, ignore the suggested age range, as the stories collected here are sure to give readers of ANY age the willies and the desire to sleep with the lights on...

I'm the kind of person who loves to read, and if it is not fantasy, it is folklore. But i don't really like one scary story, I like a collection of stories. Animorphs were not my cup of tea, and I hated Goosebumps. But in the fourth grade, it all changed.

When I was in fourth grade, a kid in my class showed me these books and instantly, I was hooked! Now at 12, I appreciate them more when I was 11. I own all three books(if only the duo would have another one) But the second book obviously has the best bunch. My favorite stories in this book are Oh Susannah!, The Wreck, Wonderful sausage, One Sunday Morning,The Bride, Clinkity-Clink, The Drum, and many others! The author even tries to make it fun by adding some funny stories. I also reccomend the tapes-I got the first one on tape at the library and it's a blast! I think all ages could read it. It has no inappropriate dialoug, but if you have young children, I wouldn't reccomend this books, because the illustrations can be frightning(especially Oh Susannah, and the Bride,)( shudder)But if you have kids 10 and over, these are your answers to a great series and starters for the horror genre. Buy them! you won't be sorry!

I had this set of books as a kid and lost them over the years. I saw it on here about a year ago and was so surprised at the high prices. I've been watching the prices since and saw this seller had it for much less. The book arrived in great time and was in perfect condition. By perfect I mean it was well used (but not falling apart), exactly like my copy was as a kid. When flipped through it, I was instantly taken back to those childhood days where my brother and I scared ourselves silly. These books are also read on youtube, complete with Steven Gammell's illustrations, which were probably the scariest part. Thanks.
[...]

As another child who was scarred by the terrifying art style in the original books, I was extremely excited to hear about the re-release of these classic stories. The books arrived today; lo and behold the original art has been replaced with bland, uninteresting art that would be better suited in an R.L. Stine novel.

A wasted purchase...

The original version's illustrations are among the best in horror - and that includes all forms of media. This new version is a slap in the face to an incredible artistic achievement. Don't buy this watered-down version - find the classic.

While Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark is a classic children's book, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, and find the original version with Stephen Gammell's illustrations.

Alvin Schwartz's words and Stephen Gammell's drawings simply go together, and your children deserve to be treated to the full and correct experience granted by the combination of Schwartz and Gammell.

Yes, Gammell's illustrations are more frightening, though no more graphic, than Helquist's. But that is the point! Gammell's work is more effective, it is REAL art, not merely illustration.

For the sake of your children's AESTHETIC development, do the right thing!

The students at my school absolutely LOVE this book! It's one of the most popular ghost story books in my library collection. I've ordered the newest version as well, but for some reason the students still check out the older, beat up copy more. I'm keeping this book as long as it holds together.

The illustrations that made these books the masterpieces of horror they were are now GONE!!!
Once again.........the day and age of political-correctness strikes with full force!
The SCARY drawings are omitted and more child-friendly ones we have here!
I recommend everyone to BOYCOTT this edition, return yours if you already have it (or burn it), buy the old collection and let the publishers know they screwed up!
Thank God I bought mine when I did.......back in 2009 when the REAL drawings were still included in the books! I'm not letting anyone borrow them. They are more valuable to me than ever, now!
This is a complete RAPE of my childhood!!!

If you like scary stories you will like this because it is scary. The book I am reading has dead people in it. Dead people come alive and kill people. Then they would eat that person.
Some of the dead will just walk away. Then, the person who sees that dead person freaks and dies. The ghost of the dead person will just walk away. Finally when one the guys or girls run so fast they bump right into the ghost or the dead person and just kill that person who bumps into them.

When I got the first book, I think I was around 8 or 9 years old which gave me a big disadvantage reading them and looking at the pictures without being scared. The pictures are the best Iv'e seen, really, I'm not exaggerating. The way he makes those weird web-like things around the edge of some of the objects make it a lot better for some reason. And the pictures alone would scare the crap out of me. I'm older now, but still, I'm afraid of a few of the pictures. Like the one in "The White Wolf", "The Thing", "One Sunday Morning", Oh Susannah!", and "The Red Spot". I could name more but that would be too much typing. Everytime I look at those pictures I get a chill that stays there till I either cover the picture up, turn the page, or close the book. And the stories are great, all of them are great. My favorites are "The Bed By the Window", "Something was Wrong", "The Thing", "The Man in the Middle", and a few others. All I have to say about them is if your under the age of 9, just don't look at the pictures, heh.

Forget the "ages 9-12" listing... This book absolutely horrified me the first time I read it at age 14 and it still freaks me out at 27! Schwartz's detailed collection of urban myths and campfire tales vividly brings the reader into the dark world of "children's" horror stories, aided by Gammell's eerie, scary and meticulous drawings. Together, they evoke the true inner fears of the dark and the world we hope doesn't really exist.

If you are just looking for the stories then this is perfectly fine, but if you were wanting to collect them because they were a part of your childhood then go get Scary Stories Treasury! I was VERY disappointed that it did not have the original artwork in it.

Please do not buy this new edition of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The publishers have completely replaced the original dark, beautiful and terrifying artwork for pictures that are clean, kid friendly and safe. They have destroyed what made this collection truly special.

I recommend this book to people who like scary stories. The Wreck is about this boy named Fred. Fred went to the dance and he danced with the best girl in school. Her name was Jeanne. Fred didn't know her phone number or address then when the dance was over he gave her a Christmas tinsil and drove her back. She said that she crashed her car into a tree so they were there. He had never heard of the street he was on so he said to himself "I will come back here someday". Read the book to find out what happends next.

The artwork is the only thing anyone ever remembered from this series. Congratulations on putting out an edition that looks exactly like every other scary stories for kids book, instead of the ONE that literally everyone remembers from their childhood.

Great way to commemorate the anniversary.

My title should say it all, but I suppose I will talk a little here as well. This set of books is unbelieveable in the sense that Schwartz's storytelling knows exactly how to get to you. I'm a senior in college, and yet I still remember quite vividly reading the stories and being afraid to go near the back of our yard because it backed up to a field. In book two (I believe) the story of the thing in the mirror STILL gives me chills at night (my dorm room has a full-length mirror in it, and I hang my robe over it at night!)
And, of course, my father knew just what to do to make me really remember the stories...like sneaking up behind me when I was feeding our rabbits at night at the back of the yard (next to the field, of course)
I would highly recommend this collection of stories to anyone who is young at heart, or just wants to scare the pants off of their child (or sibling). The memories are well worth the cost of the books!

THESE ARE NOT THE REAL SCARY STORIES BOOKS!!!! The original illustrations have been replaced by gentle, boring, sub-par ones that are a complete tragedy to anyone who grew up with these books. Only purchase this book if you are raising a weak little son who you want to grow up with no imagination....... or perhaps because you are out of toilet paper and you need something soft and emotionless to dab your tender little butterbean.

Reading these books left a huge impression on me as a child. The tales were scary, but the original artwork was what was truly horrifying. I loved these books and was looking forward to sharing them with my children when they are old enough to terrorize.

It's inexplicable that the publishers would ruin this series by changing what give it its power. Terrible mistake.

Personally I love scary stories, and if you do too, I highly recommend this book to you.
The illustrations are amazing! They perfectly go with the stories and are very well done.
It is very clever because Alvin Swartz is a great mystery writer, so it gives the stories a mystery and that is what I think goes great with scary stories. It has unexpected, humorous, or strange sudden endings. And songs rhymes or poems.

Sometimes scary stories get very boring and predictable, well I can assure you that this is not one of those books!

I first read Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark at age 7, (I'm 17 now) after stumbling upon it in my cousin's closet. I couldn't sleep after reading it, (complements of Stephen Gammell's illustrations) and immediatly bought the whole series.
My favorite story out of the whole series is "Harold" in Scary Stories 3; I won't ruin the story for you, lets just say you'll never look at a scarecrow the same way again.
Also, the notes in the back of the books on the origin of the stories is often as interesting as the stories themselves, as you often get some slight variations.
My advice to any horror fan would be to buy this series, no matter your age, I think you'll enjoy them.

This book is the best book ive read in my entire life. I love the book because it has scary,funny short stories that will scare you and your friends. And the good thing about it is that it is an enjoyable book not a long boring one about one thing only. And it has really cool pictures with the story so you can know what is happening.It is easy to read and to understand the stories.

They changed the art!

A huge part of what made these books great was the illustrations. I am DEEPLY disappointed that the publisher chose to diminish the overall quality of this beautifully illustrated book of art.

This is a travesty of the most egregious manner. I will be boycotting this publisher for life.

Bring back the version with illustrations by Stephen Gammell!!! Whoever decided to redo those should be fired. The old illustrations were some of the eeriest, wondrous, and most nightmarish imagery ever created.

Ok, I'm not just saying this. I first picked up the sequel, More Scary Stories to tell in the dark, when I was 10. Soon after, the book fair arrived, and I bought a copy of both the original(Without even reading it yet) and the sequel. Although the original is scariest in my opinion, ALL are definitely well worth owning. The book, when I purchased it, had a specified age group suggested for its readers, ages 9 and up. If you feel your child is THAT brave at 9, more power to them. At 10, the stories gave me nightmares, unless I had looked at the illustrations before going to bed. In that case, it was the stories AND the pictures that did it. I'm a 22 year old Marine now, and the whole series still gives me the heebie-jeebies. I would suggest testing the waters before reading them to a child.

This book was ok, I think it would b more injoyable if it was much longer and more scary! But I recomnd it to kids that are having a party/sleepover and want to have a little fun scarying your friends!

My favorite mini story in the book was called The Hook! It seemed like real life and it was true!

I will deffently read more books like this from the same author

Kindergarten and first-grade students love story time. However, this summer I am teaching children who have completed third grade. They have that "I'm too cool to have a story read to me" attitude. That is until one of my students checked this book out of the library. Every day they would beg me to read stories from the book -- and not just one, but two, three or four. They would grab their chairs and circle as close as they could to me. One of the students would always run and turn out the lights to help with the atmosphere. Using different voices, many pauses and the build up of suspense, I was able to scare the living bejeebeez out of them many times. They loved it! Thank you for giving me a book that's "cool" for third/fourth grade story time! I would highly recommend it to teachers of grades 3-6.

Been almost a lifetime since I last even remember the books, but I saw that name and it was so familiar, I had to return and buy all three volumes.
The memories were sweet, and chilling.
Even after all these years, the illustrations and stpories themselves continue to plague me, from The Wendigo to Cold as Clay.
I now share with all my friends the tales that every person who reads them always finds themselves lost in the story, and the disconcerting artwork.
If you were to own one collection of scary stories, this is the one. A catalogue of all the best known, and least known tales, and each book never ceases to get better and better with each time you read them.
To Quote "Shadow of the Vampire"
I think we have it.

The new illustrations are a complete disaster. The stories in Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark are fine. What made the book great were the illustrations. These new ones are a disaster and everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves.

THIS BOOK HAS THE SCARISET DRAWING I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE THING OR THE HAUNTED HOUSE HAD SCAREIST DRAWING. IT'S A LITTLE TO VIOLANT THOUGH(STABBING,SHOOTING,ETC.). IF U WANT THE HECK SCARED OUT OF YOU GET THIS BOOK. THE SCAREIST ONE IS THE ONE WHERE THE HEAD FELL OUT OF THE CHIMMENY(IM SCARED TO GO BUY MY CHIMMNEY). THANK YOU ALVIN AND STEPHEN.

When I was three or four, my older sister would show me the pictures in this book and being so scared, I would cry. The images are so strong, they really make the book what it is. When I was 8, I sat there for hours.. staring at the images, afraid that just maybe they were staring back at me too. They hold so much life and creativity, they inspired me. I'm a photographer, and looking at my gallery, I can see where each picture was inspired by this book somehow (my drawings, too).

The stories themselves aren't all that scary, but exciting and morbid. They're descriptive enough, but without going overboard for children.

It gets five stars for being so inspiring to me. One (well, three) of my favorite books ever.

A LOT better than R.C. Welch's "Scary Stories For Stormy Nights"! Unlike that book, these stories are original (and not sad).

My favorite story is "The Hook", because I enjoy scary stories about serial killers, and this one, like "High Beams", can happen, which makes it HORRIFYING!

I am a big fan of horror movies and books, and I cant believe how scary Alvin Schwartz's books are! Mr. Schwartz brings that feeling of fear that comes from your own imagination of the horrific characters within each story, plus adds that extra "kick", or fuel with the accompanying fearsome art by Steven Gammel, included with each story. These stories bring you back to those campfire stories told by friends and family huddled close with only the solitary light of a campfire or flashlight... you know, the ones that make you "jump" at the end! 5 stars to Mr. Schwartz and artist Steven Gammel!

When I first first bought this audiobook, I thought that these stories wouldn't really be that great and certainly not that scary. But I was wrong. These strories are TERRIFYING! What actually makes them terrifying in the audiobook version is the narrator. He has such a dark and creepy voice while reading these stories. I am now 17 and I still can't listen to these stories alone at night. If you want to be scared out of your wits, read or listen to these stories. Listen to them in the dark by yourself. I DARE YOU! You won't last 5 minutes.

This book would be a great book when your at a sleep over with your friends telling these stories in the dark this book has been divided categories of each stories. I think that this book and its stories are way better than STINE R.L books. Fabulous Book

These stories still hold up after all these years, they're still as scary as ever. It's sad to see so many people giving one star reviews to a book due to the pictures it contains rather then the words. Yes Gammell's work was phenomenal, and its sad to see it replaced, but that is no reason to trash the book entirely.

Hey it's Sunnydale chick here....I read these when they 1st came out, and watched an Audio book of them on Utube. SO for Halloween I'd thought I'd write one of my favorites. The Scream Queen left the Halloween Dance dressed as Carrie with the pink silk dress that she had spattered with fake blood to win the costume contest...the dress had only cost her a few dollars at Goodwill....it had been a Bridesmaids dress, someone had loved it intensely; for one day....then threw it out....and now that she had Officially won Scream Queen at the dance....that was exactly what she was going to do with it.....at least in the morning, right now she was tired from the fun party, and just wanted to go home and go to bed. Her boyfriend Edgar; couldn't make it; he called her to tell her he was sorry, but he had to take down a vampire nest..."Did you win?" He asked. "Of course." She said....and she was going to show him the picture to prove it, in the morning; when they went out for their usual pancake breakfast at Village inn. In the meantime she was taking a road that was just off the beaten path...it wasn't something she usually did, and it was a Horrible idea in a scary movie; but when it came to those she was as tough as Sydney Prescott from Scream....and besides.....this Wasn't a scary movie, and even though there WERE vampires....they NEVER came around here. But still....there was a car that had started following her, she didn't recognize it....the headlights were 2 bright although she saw a shadow of it, and it looked like an older car then what you'd find today....."Great I'm being followed by some old nut!" She laughed, not REALLY scared, but then nothing EVER scared her anyway, it's how she earned her nickname....that and her love for Scary Movies, and this was turning more and more like one every second....He kept following her, and every time she tried to pass, he blocked it....and he kept flashing his headlights every few seconds. "What's your problem?" She yelled before she used her cell phone to call the police and tell them her story. Once she got home....She saw the cops pull up by her as she suddenly recognized the car that had pulled up behind her. It was a 1957 Chevy in Blue and white, her boyfriend Edgar' s car. He got out and held a handgun to a shadow she now saw in the backseat. "I'm sorry baby, I had finished work earlier then expected, when I noticed that jerk get into the back of your car.....I couldn't pass you to tell you, so I had to turn my headlights on, every time he raised the knife he'd been holding in his hand. "You know this guy?" The cops asked as they handcuffed him. She glared at him with a look of pure hatred as she said; "Yeah it's my ex.....he's a psycho....take him away." She said. As Edgar slid his arms around her waist gently kissing the top of her head. Her ex was swearing loudly, as he jerked around trying to get away, yet all he managed to do was drop the knife, the blade sinking into the wet grass. "Hold on a minute." Edgar said as he walked over to him. "You should've NEVER messed with my girl, and you're gonna have a LONG time to think about that, cause EVERY second you're there, EVERY second you feel like you're in hell you'll see her face and realize what a HUGE mistake you made messing with us." He said before he raised his arm to punch him....but the cop waved his hand....."You can't punch someone in police custody." He said. "Oh come on, just once?" He asked. Her exes eyes widened....he knew Edgar was stronger AND a better fighter then him, and he freaked out and said..."No come on man!" The cop rolled his eyes. "Hey psycho.....you had THIS coming." The cop said. Her ex got mad and stomped on the cops shoe.....Yeah I'd say more then once." He said. Edgar beat the crap out of him then, The Scream Queen smiling, then laughing more as they shoved him into the car. He swore loudly, spitting at the window she flipped him off, before Edgar slid his hands back around her waist nuzzling her neck. "Sorry I was late, that's okay...did you get the vampires?" She asked. "Actually I ditched them to see you....and you, still saved the day?" She asked a smile on her face. He smiled back. "Yep." He said before he lifted her into his arms making her giggle a bit. "Now let's go home." He said.

My five year old went through a phase of liking scary books. These are the best collection out there once you are past the "easy reader" scary stories. The stories are short and some are even funny and so my five year old was able to handle them despite the fact that they are listed for a 9+ age group. Do note that many stories are very scary/morbid and if your child is easily frightened, wait till they are older.

This book includes many short stores that are scary, but that are scarier when its dark. I like this book, i like the stories, the realistic drawing that go with each story. This book would be for 7 year old to 10 years old. But i personally like the short stories because when you read them you could image whats going on. But i will suggest not to read in the dark unless u want to get spooked. I gave this book 4 stars because i like it but its not my favorite, but i will recommend this book to my friends or even family members so they could read the great stories that lye between the pages.

[Written by my daughter] At thirteen and a half years old, I read some of these stories laughing at the end because they were so pathetic. I fail to see the gore in here. There are no descriptions at all, and the plots are uncreative. It's basically the same thing over and over: someone thinks that they won't die but they do. If I were younger perhaps I would enjoy it more. So if you are looking to get this for someone under fourth grade, by all means, they will like it. But for those who prefer real, set up and descriptive horror, get a Steven King book or something. Of course, this is coming from a girl who is read stories about women who kill their husbands with lamb chops and then feed it to the detectives, but, you know, that doesn't make the book any scarier.

In summery: It stinks. It's not scary. Don't buy it.

This, along with the other two books in the series, is a classic. Alvin Schwartz's tales are so simple yet so deviously scary, and Gammell's dark, surreal illustrations greatly enhance them. Actually, some of the illustrations are midly disturbing...(what IS that thing coming up the stairs in "The Voice"?) Once you've read at least a couple of them, you'll start to realize just how scary the world is...(for instance, "The Girl who Stood on a Grave", "The Red Spot", and "No Thanks"). So give them a try...you won't be dissapointed!

WHEN I WAS IN ABOUT THE FIFTH GRADE MY MOM BOUGHT MY BROTHER AND I THIS BOOK. THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT WAS THIS BOOK IS GOING TO BE STUPID.WHEN I READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. IT WAS GREAT TO READ JUST BEFORE I WENT TO BED WHEN I HAD FRIENDS STAY THE NIGHT. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I RAN ACROSS THE BOOK AND DECIDED TO READ IT AGAIN. IT WAS STILL GOOD EVEN THOUGH IM OLDER.I INJOYED IT ALOT IT MADE ME PICTURE WHAT I READ AND NOT MANY BOOKS DO THAT.IM TELLING YOU ONCE YOU READ IT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO PUT IT DOWN. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERY ONE WHO LIKES SCARY TALES OR STORIES.

I don't know where to begin, these books have been such a huge part of my life! I remember discovering these when i was in 3rd grade, in 1993. I was truly obsessed, when friends would come over I would just read, read, read out loud to them, some of them scared to death by the stories, others mesmerized by the awesome illustrations (thank you steven gammell!) I still talk about them till this day (im a junior in high school) its been 8 years and I have still not forgotten these books. Alot of the stories live on in my mind, "The big toe," or "Bloody Fingers" (COOL IT MAN, GET A BANDAID!) ahhaha I lovem! I recommend this book to every living soul on the face of this planet, go out and buy all three! (More scary s's is the best, i think) I LOVE THESE BOOKS!

SCARY STORY
by ALVIN SCHWARTZ
THE BOOK IS A GOOD BOOK.
IT TELLS ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT
SCARY STORIES.
FOR INSTANCE THE FIRST SCARY STORY
WAS CALLED BOO MEN.
IT WAS ABOUT
THREE MEN WHO DIED IN THERE
HOME.THEN CAME BACK TO HONT
AND KILL THE PEOPLE LIVING
IN HIS HOUSE.I WOULD Recommend
THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY AND
IT'S A GOOD HALLOWEEN BOOK.

YOU HAVE TO SEE HOW SCARY LOOKING THE PICTURES ARE IN ALL OF THE BOOKS!!!! THAT COULD DEFINETELY GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES FOR A WHILE.EVEN IN SOME STORIES. THERE WAS NOT A PICTURE OF THE WENDINGO, BUT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAID IT WAS A FEMALE SPIRIT, AND/OR A CANNIBAL GIANT THAT KILLS FOR HUMAN FLESH AND ANTHROPOLOGISTS DESCRIBED INDIANS WANTING TO EAT FLESH AS A "WENDIGO PSYCHOSIS". {I'm sure that's how you spell that word}.

I chose this book because I think its one of the best books I've read because it's funny and scary. The author's name is Alvin Schwartz. He has written Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,

More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories: 3 More Tales to Chill You're Bones. I've read each of them at least three times. I think you should read this book and hopefully you'll like it as much as I do. It has a lot of short and scary stories. It is one of those books you never get bored of.

by Alexandra

i give this book 5 stars because it is scary ot tell in the dark no wonder thay say that on the book cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i give this book 5 stars because there is alot of stories to tell in the book and you can read them again and again thats why i am giving this book 5 stars!!!!!!!! you should read it its scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sincerley lorie waterist.

There is no business logic in changing an easily recognizable brand to something that people don't like. Its a sign that educational material from Scholastic is likely warped as well, as businesses don't make branding decisions unless they're widespread. Protect the children from PC (the real scary story).

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark didn't really have much of a plot, since it is a collection of short stories. In one of the stories, The Girl who Stood on the Grave, the plot is a girl was given a dollar to prove that if you stand on a grave, then the person who's grave it was wouldn't grab you and pull you under. She was to stick a knife in the grave so her friends know she was there. She put the knife through the grave, and tried to get away, but she that she was being held back, and she died of fright. The setting is at a graveyard at night. The conflict is that the girl tried to prove the fact that if you stand on a grave at night, then the person under it will pull you in wrong. It wasn't resolved, but the girl died of fright because she thought she was being pulled under, when she had just put the knfe through her dress on accident.

Only pre-2010 printings of this book are worth your time. While the new illustrations are fine in quality if removed from their context, they are painfully literal and lack the raw, evocative punch of the originals. Scholastic ruined this series.

I really want to jump the hate train and give this less stars because they changed the illustrations (believe me, they seriously do impact the book), but books are to be bought for the story, not pretty (disgusting) pictures. I'm gonna be fair and give this an average rating, going from a 5 star to a 1 would be overkill just for the pictures. Removing them, just turns a great book into a meh book. But like I said, the illustrations are what made this series great, and still even disturb me as an adult.

More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark is better the the first book. It's got better stories and drawings. One of my favorite stories is The Church and Rings On Her Fingers. There's one thing I always noticed in a Scay Stories book, the illistrater always draws the characters with stringy stuff hanging from them and dripping blood? For some good folklore stories read More Scary Stories!

These stories are FANTASTIC. They were so checked out in elementary school it was unbelievable. I was usually in posession of one from the school library ... haha.
Great for later elementary school kids. But they will still haunt you when your older.
I reccomend this book.

But be warned: The pictures are very scary and will most likely haunt you for the rest of your life. :).

I remember reading these books around a campfire in my childhood. I had a morbid facination with the art and the stories creeped me out for days. I forgot the title over the years and I just noticed it on the store today; I'll have to get a copy. Very nostalgic...

I grew up on these books and the biggest part of their allure and charm was the nightmarish and frightening artwork by Stephen Gammell. I am EXTREMELY disappointed that they are being re-drawn with a washed out and flowered up style. Please take my advice and buy the original, it is definitely worth it, I promise. I think it is sad that some children will never know the original drawings because parents are too uptight and make a big fuss about them. Too sad. They are SUPPOSED to be scary, you know?

I read this in 2nd grade, which would have been 1988. Checked it our from my elementary school's library, original artwork and all. I think it is a shame that these had to be re-released with new artwork because overprotective parents had to complain.

Horrifying and haunting short stories illustrated with mentally disturbing sketches. I used to pull this book out at slumber parties and we'd all freak ourselves out. I still remember some of the short stories to this day.

This book was the absolute bomb in elementary school! I remember reading all three of these books, and getting so scared out of my tighty-whiteys! R.L. Stine or Christopher Pike never got this creative and fearsome! BEAUTIFULLY illustrated and unforgettable...its just as great now, almost 11 years later. A must have

So ten or fifteen years ago, when I was in elementary school, this was definitely the NUMBER ONE MOST FREQUENTLY CHECKED-OUT LIBRARY BOOK, EVER. If you wanted this book in your hot little hand for just two days, you had to stand at the counter and wait for someone to turn it back in, just so you could snatch it up before the librarian got it back onto the shelf. No joke.
America's a young country, of course, so our idea of "American folklore" often falls into the sphere of Urban Legend. That doesn't mean this book is any less literary, of course: children will learn what REAL short story pacing is, thanks to Alvin Schwartz's suspenseful collection of concise, tense, and often outright nightmarish stories.
But the real thing that will haunt kids a decade or two later will be Stephen Gammell's illustrations. Yipes! I've asked my peers, and not one of us has forgotten those awful, macabre, dripping-flesh-decay illustrations. Ick! Just remembering this book gives me the creeps!
But parents, don't worry: this book is a must-have for any well-rounded childhood, so long as you don't mind sharing your bed with your kid for a week or two.

Alvin Schwartz has created his folklore masterpiece that you can enjoy alone or with family . this book is way bettere than the first but not overshadowed by the third . all three are good but this one is the best by far . Stephen Gammell's art is one of the key parts that make this a classic . this gives a good look at the american horror mind . this is good for first graders and collage studants alike . buy this book .

The book "More scary stories for readers"was the scariest book I've ever read in a long time. The story "The dissapearing man" was the best story in the book. I really enjoyed the book and recommend you get it. It deserves 5 stars but since the average is 4 stars,i put 4.

Yeah I really enjoyed reading this and I recommended this to kids who like this kind of stuff. This wasn't really meant for older people, obviously... But it is still well made and worth reading. I used to read these books when I was little, and I still really like them.

Okay, I had all three books when I was a kid. The original ones look like their worth some money so I'll be kicking myself in the back later. If these new ones stay true to the stories from the 90's editions, then you need to buy all three of them for your kids. The stories are pretty freaky for kids, but if I recall, most of them do state some lessons to be learned. Definitely buy all three.

I have had this book for so long it is falling apart, part of the book's poor shape has to do with repeated reading. I am in my mid-twenties and I still remember the hearse song word-for-word. The illustrations will make your skin crawl. This is a classic book.

I have always been fascinated with all of Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories collection, ever since I was a child. Stephen Gammell's drawings are really creepy and amazing. I purchased these books to hopefully share with my students. BEWARE though, some young children become frightened with some of the drawings! For ages 9 and up!

[Written by my daughter] At thirteen and a half years old, I read some of these stories laughing at the end because they were so pathetic. I fail to see the gore in here. There are no descriptions at all, and the plots are uncreative. If I were younger perhaps I would enjoy it more. So if you are looking to get this for someone under fourth grade, by all means, they will enjoy it. But for those who prefer real, set up and descriptive horror, get a Steven Kind book or something. Of course, this is coming from a girl who is read stories about women who kill their husbands with lamb chops and then feed it to the detectives, but, you know, that doesn't make the book any scarier.

This is the perfect collection of scary stories for kids going off to slumber parties or camp-outs. Many of them end with a "jump" factor, and they are good, creative, scary stories. G-rated, but still scary.

Good clean fun for your kids.

For little brother or sister, try "in a Dark, Dark Room," an early reader by Alvin Schwartz and Dirk Zimmer for kindergarteners/first graders who just want something a LITTLE LESS scary.

I read this book ALL the time when I was a kid and it popped into my head randomly one day and I am so glad to have found the same book (with the SAME cover!) from when I was a kid. Great stories for people of all ages!!

The book "More Scary Stories to tell in the dark" was great. IT WASN'T SCARY AT ALL. i HATED IT! THE SCARIEST STORY WAS DIE BOOK, DIE! i LOVED THAT STORY BECAUSE I REALLY WANT THIS BOOK 2 DIE. iT ISN'T SCARY AT ALL. I LIKE SCARY STORIES, NOT STORIES 4 BABIES. BYE!

This book failed to capture the essential qualities of a good ghost story. The stories were told well but were not very "chilling". I gave it four stars because of the illustrations and the basic essence of the book. The "feeling" that you get from the stories can be mind tingelling if not really scary.

This is a review for the ORIGINAL release of the book, not the reprinting...

A majority of the writing seemed to be written by a child. Some stories aren't finished - on purpose - but its annoying, others are just down right silly. But then there are a couple "classic" stories, like famous urban legends that make up for some of those bad stories. In the end I'm disappointed in this book. I have such fond memories of it from my childhood, it's a shame I don't feel the same way about it anymore.

For a more in depth review please visit my horror movie/book review blog in my profile

My 5&6 year old practically have the book memorized. The drawings are really spooky (make sure you tell the little ones it's only make believe. We've read the book now 10 times over. I find it a little scary myself!

You know what, this book still scares the living ... outa me. There are some things that I won't even do today like go in a really dark place, or walk down a street at night. This is one book where the illustrator can be appreciated as much as the author was. You have got to get this book!!!

I Think that more scary stories to tell in the dark is a good book because it is very interesting. It also had different stories so you wont get sick of just one book. It IS A VERY GOOD BOOK I recomend to read this book

No I haven't purchased these books but I've read them a million times so the stars are solely based on the content I've previously read.
However, I noticed almost everyone is commenting on the changes made by the new illustrator and I completely agree, Gammel's illustrations are hands down the better ones. I've been looking for the original copies and this one on the cover says illustrated by Stephen Gammell but when I clicked on look inside the pictures are the ones by Helquist. Does that mean all the copies are the ones by Helquist now? Because if so I'm not willing to spend my money.Also they shouldn't have the cover mention Gammel if the books they're selling won't have his illustrations.

They sent this book in a very timely manner. The book was in great shape. I would certainly consider purchasing more books in the future. Very pleased with the process and the product. My son loves the book. Thanks.

I did not like this book because it was not like a complete story. It just had little mini stories in it. I also did not like it because some of the authors who wrote the stories did not finish them. One more reason is there are a lot of pages, but it is not hard so it makes it too easy to read.

The book Scary Stories is a book filled with about 10 different stories. It is very scary and

it just makes you want to scream! This book will scare its reader half to death.

The type of reader that would like this book is maybe someone who watches a lot of horror movies. The reason is because it really scares you. The reader would also have a strong stomach because it is a gross book.

The original art is a classic. I am 37 years old, and I can say definitively that this did not warp me for life. Children today need to learn how to play in the mud, handle a spanking, and smash their own bugs.

I took this out of my school libray. IN fact there were a lot of series of this book. This book was too scary. Now I can't get back to bed. I am afraid I am going to have nightmares for the rest of my life. The ghost in the book looked horrible. Warning: IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF THE DARK OR HATE GHOSTS THEN THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU!!! If they want to keep their job they had better stop mkaing those books and we mean it. Please heed our call.

This may be an awesome book for children who are not too sensitve and love to be scared. However, for the more senitive child, it can be very disturbing. A teacher read some of the stories to my 4th grader's class months ago and he is still having trouble sleeping. The pictures are what has bothered him the most. He can't seem to get them off his mind. So, be selective about with whom you share this book. You may have some unhappy parents if you choose to read it to a group.

These stories could not raise one goosebump on my entire body. I read this to preschoolers and they didn't think they were scary at all. They laughed at me for reading the stories. They said that they were the gayest stories ever. I have three uses for this book: a coaster, firewood, and toilet paper. This book is NOT worthy of being read. The only reason it got one star is because that's as low as it would go, plus the illistrations made the book 0.95% "spine-tingling". I better go out and find something REALLY scary for those preschoolers...

I first found this book when i was little--and yeah, then it scared me more. I found it recently in barns and nobles, and wanted to buy it to re read it. Big mistake.This book is more hysterical than scary to me. I didn't even feel a little scared. Big disappointment for me. my advice? read it when you are younger, it might acutally be scary then.

I urge adults to really think carefully about what is in this book before they expose the children in their lives to its quite stark cruelty and depravity. There is really very little here that is scary in the sense that youngsters crave - suspense - but rather there resides some genuinely disturbing scenes of merciless, mindless, violence. Serial killings, cowardly murders, extreme cruelty to animals - we'd never let our nieces and nephews, sons and daughters read about the BTK killer in the newspaper, but we blithely hand them this book because it presumes to represent folklore. If they wrote this in school, they'd be sent to the psych for fear of being the next klebold.