Recalling the horrors of my youth.

September 24, 2007 9:19 AM

Help Me Remember This Book! version 100457: I have a visual memory of a picture book that I came across in elementary school (mid 90s) which featured a distinct sketchy, inked, scribbly style of illustration to accompany some really gruesome, horrifying stories.

The most I can remember is that one of the illustrations depicted a person's skin (as in, removed from their body and walking around independently) on a rooftop, and I think there was a giant tornado involved as well. The illustrations often had huge clouds of scribbly style ink, and I remember being singularly creeped the hell out.

I think the book was part of a series of ghost stories, or books intended to be hair-raisingly scary, and I'm pretty sure I'd still be unsettled if I came across them today.

Anyone?

posted by dorothy humbird to media & arts (9 comments total)

Could it be Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
posted by Windigo at 9:22 AM on September 24, 2007

What about "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" and "More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark"? In my elementary school days, these had horrific stories, and very sketchy illustrations in a fairly unique stule.
posted by bunnycup at 9:23 AM on September 24, 2007

Hey, I should add, in my elementary school days in BUCKS COUNTY, PA....these were extremely popular.
posted by bunnycup at 9:24 AM on September 24, 2007

Way to go guys! Right on the money. Hearts, etc.
posted by dorothy humbird at 9:36 AM on September 24, 2007

i still recall vividly the story about a spider laying eggs in someone's face, and the boil burtsting open with baby spiders! *shudders*
posted by kidsleepy at 10:34 AM on September 24, 2007

Oh gawd, they beat me to it, but I knew of what you were speaking immediately. Great series. I often see it in the bargain bins at Borders Books.
posted by notsnot at 11:02 AM on September 24, 2007

I think about the spider one every time I get a big pimple.

I believe there were 3 of them, I remember having a box set. Wonder if they make new ones?
posted by Lizc at 11:33 AM on September 24, 2007

Are you sure, kidsleepy? It's possible you might be a replicant.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 12:41 AM on September 25, 2007

Followup - I saw the Scary Stories collection at Borders, in the bargain aisles, last night. Maybe not at *your* borders, but.
posted by notsnot at 7:06 AM on September 25, 2007