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Rating: Summary: Bedtime Stories leaves you in the dark--most of the time Review: In his Introduction to this anthology, Rogers fondly recalls his father's lively readings of scary bedtime stories--a tradition he calls "Scary Daddy". Presented here are more than twenty tales aimed at giving the reader that same creepy-but-good feel. Like a children's book, Bedtime Stories is set in large, almost calligraphic type and amply illustrated with full page artwork opposite each story. There are a few standout stories here. Rogers's own "The Dead Boy at Your Window" is haunting, unsettling, yet amazingly tender and uplifting. Elizabeth Engstrom's "Vargas County" also transcends it's own eeriness as a grandfather discovers his long-buried capacity for love and tenderness. And one of the best stories I've read this year is the well-crafted "The Still Life Drama of Passing Cars." Unfortunately, Bedtime Stories confounds far more often than it thrills. Jane Yolen's "Souls" begins well, but ends with a twist that is--literally--heavy-handed. Steve Resnic Tem's "There's No Such Thing as Monsters" is just too vague to be unsettling--a problem with nearly all stories in this volume. And the few stories that are meant to be humorous are instead ridiculous. Ultimately, these bedtime stories (and the low-resolution illustrations) lack the edge to darken any dreams. Recommended only if you are willing to pay for three good stories out of twenty-three.
Rating: Summary: Bedtime Stories leaves you in the dark--most of the time Review: In his Introduction to this anthology, Rogers fondly recalls his father's lively readings of scary bedtime stories--a tradition he calls "Scary Daddy". Presented here are more than twenty tales aimed at giving the reader that same creepy-but-good feel. Like a children's book, Bedtime Stories is set in large, almost calligraphic type and amply illustrated with full page artwork opposite each story. There are a few standout stories here. Rogers's own "The Dead Boy at Your Window" is haunting, unsettling, yet amazingly tender and uplifting. Elizabeth Engstrom's "Vargas County" also transcends it's own eeriness as a grandfather discovers his long-buried capacity for love and tenderness. And one of the best stories I've read this year is the well-crafted "The Still Life Drama of Passing Cars." Unfortunately, Bedtime Stories confounds far more often than it thrills. Jane Yolen's "Souls" begins well, but ends with a twist that is--literally--heavy-handed. Steve Resnic Tem's "There's No Such Thing as Monsters" is just too vague to be unsettling--a problem with nearly all stories in this volume. And the few stories that are meant to be humorous are instead ridiculous. Ultimately, these bedtime stories (and the low-resolution illustrations) lack the edge to darken any dreams. Recommended only if you are willing to pay for three good stories out of twenty-three.
Rating: Summary: THIS BOOK [STINKS]!!!!!! Review: THIS BOOK HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST BORING I HAVE READ IN AWHILE. NONE OF THE STORIES WERE SCARY. WHAT WAS SCARY WAS HOW MUCH I PAID FOR IT! THEY SAY THAT THE STORIES IN THIS BOOK ARE NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT MY YOUNGER SISTER READ IT AND FOUND IT HILARIOUS! DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND DON'T BUY THIS BOOK. IT'S NOT WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY.
Rating: Summary: What is this? Review: When I got this book I returned it right away. What is with the overly large print? I'm not blind and I'm not 4 years old. I thought it was a children's book. I didn't buy it from Amazon and the other internet company did not let me know that this was large print. Was the publishing company trying its best to fill up enough pages so that they could release this as a book? I want more bang for my buck.
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