Alvin Schwartz

Writing

1927-04-25 · Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

Alvin Schwartz (April 25, 1927 – March 14, 1992) was an American author and journalist who wrote more than fifty books dedicated to and dealing with topics such as folklore and word play, many of which were intended for young readers. A series of his books on folklore for children were illustrated by Glen Rounds and each featured a type of folklore: the first, A Twister of Twists, a Tangler of Tongues, was published in 1972. Others in this series included Tomfoolery, which featured wordplay; Witcracks which was about smart-aleck riddles and jokes; and Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat, about superstitions. He is best known for the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series, a series best recognized for its gruesome, nightmarish illustrations by Stephen Gammell. The series was America's most frequently challenged book series for library inclusion during the 1980s and 1990s. Some of his other books, such as When I Grew Up Long Ago, were aimed at an older audience, and presented glimpses of life in the United States during the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Schwartz died of lymphoma in Princeton, New Jersey, on March 14, 1992, at age 64. Schwartz was survived by his wife and four children.