Review of Scary Stories

by Elissa Gershowitz
Oct 10, 2022 | Filed in Book Reviews

Scary StoriesScary Stories
by Tony Johnston; illus. by Tomie dePaola
Primary    Wiseman/Simon    32 pp.    g
7/22    978-1-6659-0431-5    $18.99
e-book ed.  978-1-6659-0432-2    $10.99

An imp, a goblin, and a scalawag attempt to outdo one another in the telling of scary stories. Each includes what they collectively believe to be the scariest creature of all—but when that creature actually does appear, it wins them all over by proving its own storytelling prowess. Previously published as Four Scary Stories (in 1978), this creative, metafictive, silly-not-spooky tale features lively, vivid-hued illustrations starring dePaola’s recognizably round-faced characters with their easy-to-read thoughts and funny facial expressions.

From the September/October 2022 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.

Elissa Gershowitz

Elissa Gershowitz is editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc. She holds an MA from the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons University and a BA from Oberlin College.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

Visual learning
by Horn Book
NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

Awareness of the world around us
by Horn Book
NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

At home with poetry
by Horn Book
BOOK LISTS

2023 Booklists and Resources Master List
by Summer Edward
NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

Empowering tales
by Horn Book
NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

Across so many years
by Horn Book
More
RECOMMENDED
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?