History Headscratchers / ScaryStoriesToTellInTheDark

** Because of a little something called SurprisinglyCreepyMoment. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the very depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a stain on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Film/ErnestScaredStupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.

** Perhaps the plot for the short story was different when the picture was drawn, but maybe Alvin Schwartz eventually changed and decided that the picture was scary enough as is.

** NothingisScarier at work. The pause was to get the kid on edge, making him think something was going to happen. Let him relax, then repeat.

* In real life: why are people so notoriously upset over the scary illustrations? "Scary" is in the title of the books, don't buy the book if you don't want to be scared.
** Because of a little something called SurprisinglyCreepyMoment. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the very depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a stain on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Film/ErnestScaredStupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.
** Many schools in the 90's would often have the book proudly on display when Halloween came around and was often a favorite for the teacher to read for the class, those who were easily scared could only hope to just hear the story and not see the pictures. Sometimes curiousity got the best of them hence a whole generation was expose to it thanks to public school.

** carpet with trapdoor designs on it.

* I'm probably not going to get a clear answer on this one, but does anyone have any idea just what was up with the illustration for "Oh Susannah"? I think Mr. Gammell intended it to tie with the story, but I can't put my finger on how. Personally, I think the Sky-Skull is supposed to represent Death, with the figure in the rocking chair as the killer singing the song.
** Perhaps the plot for the short story was different when the picture was drawn, but Alvin Schwartz eventually changed and decided that the picture was scary enough as is?

** Because of a little something called SurpriseCreepy. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the very depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a stain on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Film/ErnestScaredStupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.

* I'm probably not going to get a clear answer on this one, but does anyone have any idea just what was up with the illustration for "Oh Susannah"? I think Mr. Gammell intended it to tie with the story, but I can't put my finger on how. Personally, I think the Sky-Skull is supposed to represent Death, with the figure in the rocking chair as the killer singing the song.

** And with marks on one side to look like hinges. Circle to look like a pull ring and simulated woodgrain are optional.

** So... Squares?

** carpet with trapdoor designs on it.

* What the heck is a "trapdoor-shaped" carpet supposed to look like, anyway?

** Because of a little something called SurpriseCreepy. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a mark on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Film/ErnestScaredStupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.

** Well even the best singers need to rest their pipes.

* While I do agree that the story "Me Tie Dough-ty Walker" is scary, one part doesn't quite add up. Why was there a half-hour pause at one point in the story? What were they all doing during that intermission, especially the supernatural guy? "Huh. I really thought making that kid's dog sing again would get more of a reaction out of him. Ah well, break time's over."

** Because of a little something called SurpriseCreepy. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a mark on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Ernest Scared Stupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.

** Because of a little something called SurpriseCreepy. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a mark on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Ernest Scared Stupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.

** Because of a little something called SurpriseCreepy. These were always marketed to children, and when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some thrilling, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey, but ultimately harmless fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that it's the kind of shit that can leave quite a mark on a young kid's psyche. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of, say, ''Ernest Scared Stupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your grandmother's autopsy.

** Because when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some harmless, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances (i.e. about half the kids who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's) can tell you that's the kind of shit that stays with you for a very long time. If you're still not following, just imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of ''Ernest Scared Stupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your grandmother's autopsy.

** Because when a 9-year-old kid sees a book in their school library with "scary" in the title, dollars to donuts they're thinking of something along the lines of ''Goosebumps''; something that offers some harmless, spine-tingling, ooey-gooey fun. They're not anticipating a series of grotesque, dripping, shadowy visions wrenched from the depths of Hell itself. Anyone who was introduced to the books under similar circumstances can tell you that's the kind of shit that ''stays'' with you, for a very long time. If you're still not getting it, imagine the shock you'd get by popping in a VHS of ''Ernest Scared Stupid'', only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your grandmother's autopsy.

* In real life: why are people so notoriously upset over the scary illustrations? "Scary" is in the title of the books, don't buy the book if you don't want to be scared.

In real life: why are people so notoriously upset over the scary illustrations? "Scary" is in the title of the books, don't buy the book if you don't want to be scared.