The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark franchise, created by author Alvin Schwartz, is somewhat enigmatic in its success. Each book was softcover, thin, and featured cover artwork that was mostly in grayscale. Yet, this unassuming combination formed the framework for one of the most captivating and challenged children’s book series ever.

Before we discuss the books themselves, it’s important to ask: why are we talking about this series? As formerly alluded, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was the source of great contention. It was deemed too scary by parent-activist groups, and subsequently became one of the most frequently challenged book series of all time.

This information naturally leads to other questions. What allowed the series to be simultaneously contagious and controversial? If you’ve ever thumbed through a copy one of these books, I probably don’t need to tell you. It’s the artwork. Don’t get me wrong, the stories are great. Well written, creative, some are even genuinely unsettling to this very day. But if there’s one thing that child book-buyers and parent-activist groups have in common, it’s their natural tendency to base initial opinions entirely on the superficial. Before readers have even opened one of these books, they are greeted with the gorgeous and gruesome artwork of Stephen Gammell. Each painting is a surreal nightmare on its own.

I could talk all day about why I love the artwork in these books. Each piece compliments and enhances its corresponding story. It’s also important to note that the artwork doesn’t rely on gore to scare its viewers. There are some images that could be described as “gory,” but the majority of the illustrations derive their horror from an unnerving distortion of reality and intense ambiguity. The fact that the artwork is black and white helps build uncertainty. What exactly are we looking at? Is that blood? Or is it something else entirely?

“But what of the stories?” I can already hear you ask. Perhaps the most efficient way to discuss those would be to tackle each book separately. Turn off the lights, and let’s go!

Book one

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1981) is rather plain in its writing. The anthology is split into sections, with each section featuring a distinct type of story telling.

When I was a youngster, one thing that I found slightly disappointing about this entry into the series was how it focused less of the “Stories” part of the title and more on the “to Tell in the Dark” bit. I may need to elaborate on that. Many of the “stories” in this book aren’t complete narratives. A few of the tales don’t feature conclusions. Instead, they encourage the narrator to jumpscare listeners by shouting. There are even some instances of poetry. Reading this book solo may have felt underwhelming in a few spots, but it’s easy to imagine this would serve as a fun book for kids to read with friends at a sleepover.

One of the elements that works to this book’s advantage is that the stories are short and varied. Schwartz never lingers on a tale too long, staying true to the general fashion of urban legends.

Book two

To me, the Scary Stories series is quite unique in its progression… I liked each book more than the last! There aren’t many series where that can be said. More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1984) has a good ratio of pieces meant to be read aloud and scary stories that can be read independently. This is a happy medium that I’m sure will satisfy many readers.

Book three

I think I already gave away my opinion of this book, but I enjoyed it the most of any in the series. It has the highest percentage of full stories. This may not be optimal for everyone, but it certainly struck the fancy of this reader.

One of the stories, “Harold,” may be the scariest short story I remember reading in my youth. It’s intense. It almost makes me understand why parents were scrambling to get this series off shelves. Not to say that censorship is justified. Children are braver than adults typically give them credit for. But if a parent wants to monitor what their own kid is reading, that’s plenty reasonable. If you’re a parent, and your kid wants to read this book—or any other entry in this series—I recommend previewing it. If I remember correctly, I read all three Scary Stories books in middle-school, and I was definitely mature enough to handle them. Though, every kid is different.

Reprintings

I can hardly even begin to express how disappointing the 2011 reissuing of these books was (and is). Harper Collins decided to do something foolish. They reissued Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, but replaced Stephen Gammell’s artwork, opting to use new illustrations by Brett Helquist.

The problem with this decision isn’t tied to the quality of Helquist’s art. Helquist is a talented artist in his own right. Harper Collins’ choice was problematic because Schwartz and Gammell’s work was so inextricably tied throughout the history of the Scary Stories series. Replacing the artwork is to replace half of what made these books special. It’s akin to historical revisionism! Okay, that’s probably a bit overdramatic. Although, it can’t be denied that the new artwork obscures the history of the books.

I remember walking into a local library on Banned Books Week, and I was discouraged by what I saw. On display, there was a copy of the 2011 reissuing of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Most people won’t know the difference between an original and a reissuing, which is partly why the reprint is so troublesome. The 2011 version of the book is not the same book that was challenged in the 1990s. Even calling it a “reprint” is dubious. Schwartz and Gammell collectively made the original books into a success. Harper Collins was, evidently, not privy to that fact.

Conclusion

As of the time that I’m writing this, there is a Scary Stories movie in the works as well as a documentary. That’s pretty impressive for a three-book series that was created over 35 years ago.

If you’ve never read the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series, I encourage you to do so. Even if you’ve read it before, I recommend revisiting them. Thin as they may be, there is so much to unpack.

Happy Halloween!