With Halloween just around the corner, parents are stocking up on tales of mystery and suspense. From Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events to Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, bookstores are increasing their inventory for this spooky time of year. Harper Collins has a special treat in store this year with the release of an old favorite, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. However, the fright-filled collection has a new look for a new generation of readers.
Where It All Began
Released in 1981, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark combined elements of horror, poetry, and gruesome illustrations by Stephen Gammell. The book was a hit with its young audience – and a slap in the face for many parents, who felt the subject matter was inappropriate for children. Despite the controversy, the book became a huge success and launched two more volumes. More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was published in 1984, and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones was released in 1991.
Did Schwartz and Gammell Go Too Far?
Featuring tales of cannibalism, decapitations, and ghosts, parents and teachers were shocked to discover the book was recommended for children. In one story, a couple of teenagers are parked on a dark road, while outside an escaped maniac roams the streets; in another, a babysitter is threatened over the telephone by a man hiding upstairs. Parents felt the book went too far with gruesome images and descriptions of dead bodies, and they fought to ban the series from public schools; they succeeded.
Scary Stories Gets a New Look
Fans are in for quite a surprise with the reissue of the horror trilogy. Though the stories remain unchanged, the hair-raising illustrations by Stephen Gammell have been replaced with family-friendly sketches by Brett Helquist, who uses G-rated images rather than Gammell's oozing, skeletal creatures; because of this, the reader isn't afraid of turning the page. While the new design is approved by parents, will the stories have the same impact as before?
Time Will Tell: Halloween Tales For Spooky Nights
As Halloween creeps by like a witch on the prowl, parents of young readers will be sure to pick up a copy of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark because it's the perfect read for a dark and stormy night. Whether you like the new design or prefer the original, Alvin Schwartz has created a Halloween treat that's devilishly delicious, and guaranteed to make your skin crawl. Will the series find the same success? Only time will tell. After all, there's nothing like a scary story.
Nicholas Gentry - Nicholas Gentry is a freelance writer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has contributed many articles to Seed.com and Articleinsider.com. ...
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