A World Full of Spooky Stories

September 2, 2019
This cross-cultural collection of supernatural folktales includes such characters as a talking skull, a malevolent giantess, and a clever thief. The stories, arranged by theme and
representing six continents, are concise—most no more than three pages long—and told in plainspoken prose (“Long ago, the sweetest apples in France grew on a tree that belonged to a very grumpy woman”). Each tale notes its place of origin, and though the various protagonists encounter an array of startling bogeys (among them death and a devil), most come away safe and wiser for the experience, leaving readers with pleasantly gentle chills. Andronic’s gouache artwork combines folkloric and modern sensibilities. With its emphasis on the spooky versus the scary, it’s an excellent choice for young readers building their bravery. Ages 5–8.

July 1, 2019
A collection of eerie folktales from different countries and cultures. From very familiar fairy tales such as "Hansel and Gretel" to lesser-known stories, this anthology shares 50 spooky stories from around the world. Arranged into 11 categories based on location or geographical feature--"Into the Woods," "Down by the Water," "Strangers at the Door," and more--the collection's offerings include a wide variety of countries and cultures as well as a few Indigenous peoples. Creepy characters include Baba Yaga from Russia, an alluring forest spirit of Brazil, an ogre in Tibet, and a talking skull of West Africa. While the stories all have spooky elements, such as ghosts, witches, and demons, the vast majority are relatively tame, and a few are even humorous. There are very few truly scary stories. McAllister has pulled tales mainly from old public-domain sources (listed in an appendix) and compressed them. Due to the retelling, some of the stories have lost their ethnic and cultural distinctiveness. The gouache, folk-art-style illustrations feature bold, vibrant colors, bringing the stories to life. Although stunning, in keeping with the tone of the stories, the illustrations aren't very frightening. All in all, this is an adequate attempt to deliver a variety of diverse tales, but it reads Eurocentric in style. If readers are looking for something authentic and spine-tingling, they should pass on this anthology. A not-so-spooky book. (Folktales. 6-9)

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