The Bride, Stephen Gammell Scholastic/Harper Collins Image via PopSugar
The Illustrations of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Stephen Gammell is best known for his dark macabre illustrations in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark the infamous book of children's short stories by Alvin Schwartz. Drawing heavily from folk and urban legends the horror narratives illustrated by Gammell are instantly recognizable to a generation of Americans (And those around the world) - As of 2018 the books have sold over eight million copies. These haunting depictions have been a true gateway to dark and horror explorations in many young Artists.
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Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Book cover image via Reddit look familiar?
Harold
Is Something Wrong Stephen Gammell Scholastic/Harper Collins Image via PopSugar
Image via Bloody Disgusting
Somebody Fell From Aloft
Gammell's Art Replaced
On the 30th release of Scary Stories... the book publisher replaced Gammell's illustrations with a restrained and less macabre version created by Brett Helquist (2011) much to fans dismay. After a lasting uproar over the new edition the publisher relented and restored Gammell's most terrifying creations. The most recent editions of the book and André Øvredal's film of the same name both feature Gammell's Art.
The Haunted House Stephen Gammell; Scholastic/Harper Collins
The Girl Who Stood on a Grave Stephen Gammell; Scholastic/Harper Collins
Oh, Susannah! Drawing by Stephen Gammell for the Scary Stories books, image via artseditor
The Bride reading and Art
Controversy
In the 90s the Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark series was frequently the top challenged book in the US. The illustrations and book itself have been repeatedly attacked by critics who cite their macabre nature as "sick and repulsive.. violent" we at Dark Art & Craft on the other hand love them and have put this small collection of our favorite Gammell illustrations together for the Halloween season. Did you grow up with these stories too?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1981), More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1984), and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones (1991)
One Sunday Morning
The Church
Artist Resources
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Wiki
Beyond ‘Scary Stories’: The Other Macabre Works of Artist Stephen Gammell By Nat Brehmer
The 18 Most Egregious Art Replacements From 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'
Contents Of A Nightmare: The Artwork Of Stephen Gammell And “scary Stories To Tell In The Dark”
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