More Bones: Scary Stories From Around The World

More Bones collects folklore and ghost stories from diverse cultures across the globe, retold for young readers by Arielle North Olson and Howard Schwartz. E.M. Gist's illustrations add visual elements to each supernatural tale. The anthology features stories from Japan, Russia, Norway, and other nations, introducing readers to cultural traditions through their ghost stories and supernatural legends. Each tale stands alone but contributes to the book's exploration of universal fears and mysterious occurrences. The stories range from eerie encounters with spirits to unexplained phenomena, with some offering moral lessons embedded within their spooky narratives. The collection maintains age-appropriate content while preserving the authentic cultural elements of each tale. The book demonstrates how similar themes in ghost stories appear across different cultures, revealing shared human experiences with the unknown and supernatural. Through these tales, readers gain insight into how various societies interpret and explain mysterious events.

Readers describe this collection as tamer and more appropriate for younger children compared to the original Scary Stories series. Parents note it works well for ages 7-11. What readers liked: - Diverse cultural representation of folktales from different countries - Illustrations that enhance stories without being too frightening - Short length of stories makes them good for reading aloud - Educational value of learning about folklore from other cultures What readers disliked: - Some found stories not scary enough for older kids - A few readers mentioned predictable endings - Occasional complaints about stories being too brief Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (116 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (11 ratings) Specific feedback: "Perfect for elementary school kids who want spooky but not terrifying" - Goodreads reviewer "The cultural context adds depth to what would otherwise be simple ghost stories" - Amazon reviewer "My third graders love these during October" - Teacher review on Scholastic

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Traditional American folktales and urban legends combine with haunting illustrations to create a collection that reveals the dark corners of North American folklore.

Tales of the Supernatural by Mary Downing Hahn Ghost stories from multiple cultures blend historical fact with supernatural encounters to present a tapestry of global hauntings and unexplained phenomena.

The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Pat McKissack African-American oral traditions and Southern folklore merge in these ghost stories that reflect cultural heritage through supernatural narratives.

Treasury of Japanese Folktales by Yuri Yasuda Traditional Japanese ghost stories and yokai tales showcase the spiritual and supernatural elements of Japanese culture through centuries-old stories passed down through generations.

Ask the Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World by Arielle North Olson Folk traditions from six continents present tales of ghosts, monsters, and unexplained events that demonstrate universal themes in supernatural storytelling.

🌍 Folklore from different cultures often features similar supernatural creatures, suggesting shared human experiences and fears across civilizations. 👻 Ghost stories serve an important cultural purpose, traditionally used to teach moral lessons and reinforce social values within communities. ✏️ E.M. Gist, the illustrator, is known for creating dark fantasy art and has worked on multiple horror-themed projects, including Magic: The Gathering cards. 📚 Howard Schwartz, one of the authors, is a renowned folklorist who has received multiple Jewish Book Awards for his work preserving Jewish folktales. 🌙 The book's target audience of middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) aligns with research showing this age group has a particular fascination with scary stories as they learn to process and manage fear in safe contexts.