These books are true horror classics. I grew up reading these. My brother and I owned the earliest editions released in the 80s, and we read them in our camping tent every year around Halloween.
Many libraries and schools have banned Alvin Schwartz’s collection of spooky short stories. They have been deemed satanic, horrific, and far too disturbing for children. Makes sense. The book’s illustrations are downright bone-chilling and could certainly give you nightmares.
Alvin Schwartz’s short stories collections are the epitome of everything Halloween—for both adults and children! They make me remember campfires, slumber parties, and Halloweens growing up at home.
Alvin Schwartz released Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark in 1981, followed by More Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark in 1984. Scary Stories: More Tales to Chill Your Bones was released in 1991.
Every scary story in the book is incredibly short, maybe no more than 450 to 500 words each. But these stories will genuinely chill your bones, as the book title suggests. They’re the perfect length for taking turns reading aloud with a group of people, all while marveling at the intricately disturbing—though brilliant—illustrations by Stephen Gammell. I included some of my favorites below.
Unfortunately, the newer editions of these books have replaced the original illustrations with those that are more innocent and less nightmare-inducing. I strongly suggest getting your hands on early copies or first editions, if you can find them.
Do I recommend Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories books for young children? YES! I certainly do!
It’s up to us as parents to explain and educate our children on the various forms of entertainment, which is exactly what these books are. And the illustrations are unparalleled.
My brother and I began reading these books when we were 6 years old. Reading them aloud in our camping tent around Halloween was a childhood tradition we upheld until our late teens.
Alvin Schwartz set the bar so high for horror novels. Not once had an author chilled me as much until I discovered Graham Masterton.
Type “Graham Masterton” into the Search bar on my website to check out some reviews about his novels. Pretty much all his books are great.
Anyway, Alvin Schwartz wrote a few other kids’ books, and Stephen Gammell illustrated some other kids’ books as well, including Song and Dance Man, which looks pretty cool.
What do you think about Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Are these books as nostalgic for you as they are for me?
Last Updated on January 2, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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