Where the Scary Things Are: Horror and Fear in Children’s Books
For many of us, Max from Where the Wild Things Are was our bedtime storybook hero, bravely sailing into the unknown where the Wild Things roared their terrible roars, gnashed their terrible teeth, rolled their terrible eyes, and showed their terrible claws. Yet, even in the face of such fearsome creatures, Max remained undaunted, stepping into his private boat and waving good-bye as if to say, "I’ve conquered my fears." In that simple gesture, Max taught us that even the scariest things can be tamed with courage and imagination.
This weekend I spoke on the timeless art of incorporating thrills and chills into children’s books at the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. From nursery rhymes to the gory Grimm’s fairy tale, these stories have earned their place in the literary canon as they continue to resonate and empower young minds.
The Roots of Scary Children's Literature
Scary children’s books have been an integral part of literature for young readers for centuries, starting with the simple nursery rhyme which have surprisingly dark origins. For example, "Ring Around the Rosie" is widely believed to reference the Black Plague, with its seemingly innocent lines alluding to the symptoms and fatal consequences of the disease. Similarly, "Rock-a-Bye Baby" depicts a precarious situation where a baby falls from a treetop, a rather disturbing image hidden beneath a soothing melody. These rhymes served as a way for communities to process and pass down memories of difficult and often frightening historical events.
Similarly, fairy tales have long been a cornerstone of some of the darkest of kid-lit stories. The Brothers Grimm penned many stories that were filled with grisly and gruesome themes, such as "Hansel and Gretel," where children are abandoned in the forest only to meet a cannibalistic witch. These tales, often far darker in their original versions than in modern retellings, were designed to teach moral lessons and warn children about the dangers of the world. The fear embedded in these stories served as both entertainment and education, preparing young listeners for the realities of life.
The Benefits of Children Reading Scary Stories
Scary stories offer more than just entertainment and a long history: they actually provide several important benefits that contribute to a child’s emotional and cognitive development, such as:
1. Building Emotional Resilience
Reading scary stories allows children to experience fear in a controlled environment, helping them build emotional resilience. By seeing characters confront and overcome frightening situations, children learn that fear is a natural emotion that can be managed and conquered. This helps them develop coping strategies for dealing with real-life anxieties.
2. Teaching Important Life Lessons
Scary stories often carry important moral lessons. For example, traditional fairy tales like "Little Red Riding Hood" teach children about the dangers of trusting strangers, a lesson that remains relevant in the context of stranger danger today. These stories help children understand the consequences of certain behaviors in a way that is both memorable and impactful.
3. Encouraging Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Many scary stories involve characters who must use their wits and problem-solving skills to escape danger, such as "Hansel and Gretel," which encourages children to think creatively and critically about how to overcome challenges. This not only makes the story engaging but also helps develop important cognitive skills.
4. Fostering Empathy and Emotional Understanding
Scary stories often feature protagonists who face fears and uncertainties, emotions that many children can relate to. By empathizing with these characters, children learn to understand and process their own emotions. Books like Where the Wild Things Are allow readers to explore complex feelings like anger, loneliness, and fear in a safe space, promoting emotional intelligence.
5. Stimulating Imagination and Creativity
The imaginative worlds and creatures found in scary children’s books stimulate creativity and encourage imaginative play. Whether it’s the Wild Things in Maurice Sendak’s classic or the sinister veggies in Aaron Reynolds’ picture book Creepy Carrots!, these books inspire children to think beyond the ordinary and explore the boundaries of their imagination.
Clearly there is an appetite and audience for writing scary children’s books. Below are my Five Tips for Writing Books That Will Spook Littles:
Five Tips for Writing Books That Will Spook Littles
1. Balance Fear with Comfort
When writing for littles, it’s essential to balance fear with comfort. While it’s important to introduce scary elements, ensure that your story also provides a sense of safety and resolution. The protagonist should overcome their fears, and the story should end on a positive note, reassuring young readers that challenges can be faced and conquered.
2. Use Familiar Settings with a Twist
Many effective scary children’s books, like Creepy Carrots! and "Hansel and Gretel," start with familiar settings—a garden, a forest, or a bedroom—and introduce an unexpected twist. This approach makes the story relatable while also allowing the ordinary to become extraordinary. By setting the story in a place that children recognize, you can heighten the impact of the scary elements when they are introduced.
3. Develop Relatable Characters
Your protagonist should be someone children can relate to, such as Max from Where the Wild Things Are. This connection helps young readers invest in the story and feel a sense of empathy, making the scary moments more impactful and the resolutions more satisfying.
4. Incorporate Humor to Diffuse Tension
Humor is a powerful tool in scary children’s books. It can diffuse tension and make the story more enjoyable, as seen in Creepy Carrots! The juxtaposition of fear and laughter not only keeps the reader engaged but also makes the story more accessible to younger audiences. Consider using humorous dialogue, silly situations, or exaggerated characters to lighten the mood at key moments.
5. Use Illustrations to Enhance the Atmosphere
Illustrations play a crucial role in creating the atmosphere of a scary children’s book as visuals can greatly enhance the mood. Work closely with your illustrator to ensure that the images complement the text, using light, shadow, and perspective to build suspense and convey emotions.
The history of scary children’s books, from the eerie verses of nursery rhymes to the imaginative worlds of modern picture books, shows the enduring appeal of stories that explore fear and suspense. These stories not only entertain but also provide valuable benefits, such as building emotional resilience, teaching important life lessons, and fostering creativity. Whether drawing on the dark woods of fairy tales or the playful scares of contemporary classics, the craft of writing scary children’s books offers endless possibilities for creativity and connection.
As Shirley Jackson so perfectly stated, “I delight in what I fear.” …Well, so do kiddos!