Headscratchers / Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

• In real life: why are people so notoriously upset over the scary illustrations? "Scary" is in the title of the book, don't buy the book if you don't want to be scared.
  • Because of a little something called Surprisingly Creepy Moment. 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, Ernest Scared Stupid, only to find somebody taped over it with footage of your beloved grandmother's autopsy.
  • Many schools in the 90s 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 curiosity got the best of them hence a whole generation was exposed to it thanks to public school.
• 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."
  • Well even the best singers need to rest their pipes.
  • Nothing Is Scarier at work. The pause was to get the kid on edge, making him think something was going to happen. Let him relax, then repeat.
• What the heck is a "trapdoor-shaped" carpet supposed to look like, anyway?
  • Carpet with trapdoor designs on it.
  • So... Squares?
  • And with marks on one side to look like hinges. Circle to look like a pull ring and simulated woodgrain are optional.
• 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 in 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 maybe Alvin Schwartz eventually changed and decided that the picture was scary enough as is.

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