In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 1984

First I want to say that I loved this book as a kid. Second I am only giving two stars for the misleading advertising on Amazons part.What I mean is that the image shown on Amazon for this book indicates that the illustrator is Dirk Zimmer. He is the original illustrator of this book, and he is a large part of why I still fondly remember “In a Dark, Dark Room” so many years later. Instead I was sent the “updated” version with illustrations by Victor Rivas. No offense intended to Mr. Rivas, but I was looking forward to an authentic nostalgic experience by re-reading one of my favorite childhood books.The good news is that the stories are still original and unadulterated, by the late, great Alvin Schwartz! However, it’s just not the complete package for me (hence the two stars). Unfortunately this is a dealbreaker and I’ll be returning the book tomorrow.My Plea to Amazon:Amazon, please advertise that this is the updated version of the book so that people like me won’t be disappointed. I would rather buy a used, beat up old copy of this book with original illustrations, and I would even pay more for it! That’s how important it is to me to preserve my childhood memories.TL/DRThis is not the original version of book with illustrations by Dirk Zimmer, but rather an updated version with illustrations by another author. Amazons main picture for this book clearly indicates Dirk Zimmer as illustrator, which I believe is misleading.

I'm in my late 30s and I remember reading this at the library when i was in early grade school. I loved it then and still do. And, no joke, the stories about the hitchhiker and the scarf girl have been permanently stuck in my head since then.Over the years, I couldn't remember the name of this book so I've never been able to buy it. That is until Buzzfeed randomly did an article about it back in March or April. I was so hyped I ordered this almost immediately.

So when I purchased this item, the old illustrations were showing on the product page, but I was sent the new edition instead. The pictures are terrible- I still remember the original illustrations 20+ years after reading them, and they scared the shit out of me. All the new illustrations are very Tim Burton-esque; cutesy and lame. Also it's 2019. If a new edition was coming out, would it have killed the illustrator and publisher to include even ONE depiction of a nonwhite person? How disappointing!

The green ribbon story is messing with my four year old. It scared her, pretty much the red ribbon folk story of taking the ribbon off and her head falls off. Good intro to scary stories to test the water to see if your child is ready for it. Bad idea to read right before bedtime (she slept in my bed that night) but she loves it. This book is a good intro to the child exploring the thrill of being scared and telling scary stories at the campfire. Start here and move slowly up to scary movies.

Needed this from my childhood

Please show on your product that this is the book with the new style illustrations. I did not want this book with the new style illustrations. I wanted the book shown that includes the original illustrations. Talk about false advertising! Very unhappy with this purchase.

This book is kid friendly and elementary-school story time readable. I personally LOVE this collection and searched quite a bit before finding it. If you can, snatch this book up before it's unavailable as so many old books end up extinct. These stories are actually very spooky, although not horrifying or gruesome. They are nice and short and sweet, with wonderful cadence for reading aloud. There is a variety of story subjects and styles, straightforward narratives, narratives that span the coarse of a lifetime, poems, etc- Easy to read the entire book in fifteen minutes before bed and didn't induce any nightmares in our house.

I was really surprised that my child loved this book so much. She reads this at least once a week and gets an absolute kick out of it.I didn't realize how scary it was (figured it was fine because of the reading level) until she told me the story of the girl with the green ribbon (or scarf?) and, heck, that gave me the heebie jeebies!That being said, the number of times she has read it and the absolute joy she gets, not to mention the constant reading -- I say that's a win! I'm looking for other books that she will love just as much, but no luck yet. Also, I love reading many of the other reviews from adults who nostalgically remember this book. I hope the same happens for my daughter.

Loved this book as a child. Still love it now

Brings back childhood memories of being able to read this at school.

Nostalgic

My four year old was on the edge of his seat whilst listening to these stories. He loves this book & it will be read over & over again. Will definately be looking out for more books by this author!

Best book ever