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Kristal Lopez
Professor Svetich
English 18
December 12, 2019
Horror for Children
The thought of using “kiddie,” horror in educating young children would sound like a bad
idea until one realizes the positive effects on children and their reading development. Two of the
most prominent authors of children literature and creators of art that are targeting children, R.L.
Stine and Patricia C. McKissack, have made a name for themselves by specializing in using,
developing and publishing horror for children. Both authors have, however, been able to present
these horror stories intriguing and interesting ways that are appealing to children, and are not as
scary as we would expect. There is a lot of sensibility in the way that Stine and McKissack
present their stories that makes it easier for children to relate with the characters and narratives
without the ‘horror’ in the stories affecting them psychologically. They also ensure that the
setting of these stories is one that they can identify with. The incorporation of horror text in
children stories has underlying meanings and intentions related to critical thinking, moral
lessons, personal growth, and historical literature.
Children’s literature is essential in the mental growth of a child, as they develop critical
thinking skills (Crippen). These are the most essential parts of setting a firm learning foundation
for a child. The more a child reads, their imagination is stimulated and it also provides a
visualization experience that is not easy to forget. The use of horror texts or dark tales in
children’s stories is not a new idea. Although horror as a genre in literature is mistakenly
perceived as inappropriate for classroom setting because of the rigorous emotional influence that
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it has on the reader, these texts are an important addition to literacy courses (Matek 65). The
sensitivity that is involved in imparting knowledge into young minds is an ongoing debate that
still challenges how dark or how much horror can be included in children’s literature. Horror
texts in an appropriate measure and calculated manner are capable of shaping a child's
perspective on life depending on how it is projected to their mind as they read. Horror texts
sharpen a child’s critical thinking skills through comprehension, knowledge, analysis,
application, evaluation, and synthesis of literature materials (Florea & Hurjui 568). Through
horror texts, children can infer, reason, and create judgments, and such high-level skills are only
attained through critical reflection.
The inclusion of horror texts in educational curriculum is important because it passes
down moral lessons to children at a young age. Prior to internet and cable television, horror
stories were narrated to caution children about dangerous people, situations that need to be
avoided, and places they should not bypass (Lester 28). Lessons that teach children how to
handle their fears, not to talk to strangers and know that it is fine to be afraid at times, are
important life lessons that have been passed on in folktales; serving a function apart from simple
entertainment. For example, in Revenge of the Snowman by R. L. Stine, Rick, convinces his two
friends to cover Billy with snow, to see if he would get “frozen in fear” (Stine). After covering
Billy with snow, the friends go off to play and forget about Billy (Stine). Rick remembers about
Billy, and goes back, in turn Rick gets frozen in fear (Stine). The twist at the end of the story
makes it interesting and intriguing. A perfect example of a horror story aimed at young children,
to teach them what can occur if they do not take what they are told as seriously.
The reading of horror stories for children is a healthy habit that can be used in developing
psychological growth and confidence (Matek 66). Children learn how to conquer their fears, as
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they can face realities in life without being scared or shaken. The world has a lot of bad things
going on and trying to put one’s child in a comfort zone where they can neither see, nor hear,
evil, could be detrimental to their growth. Parents are potentially depriving their children of
important life lessons, that can benefit their child in the long run. For example, learning who to
trust, identifying a threating stranger or identifying a critical situation. When children have
limited experience managing their fears or they don’t realize that it is healthy and normal to feel
fear, they may ultimately experience more anxiety about new situations or even avoid taking
risks. Horror stories for children can be encouraged in the right measure. These stories that
include horror texts increase children’s imagination making them all rounded and more
reasonable in tackling life issues that include scary things, creating confidence and health
psychological development.
The exhilaration that scary stories give children is just unexplainable. Horror stories help
children learn literature (Matek 69). Once a child gets interested in these spooky and frightening
tales, nothing can keep them away from books. They develop an addiction to reading materials
that have such characters, hence developing healthy reading habits. They also help them explore
their boundaries and seek to learn more. It is, therefore, proven to be a means in which nurturing
of a reading culture in children is developed. Horror stories can also educate children on
literature and history by broadening their knowledge about the topics mentioned. A good
example is a short story The Woman in the Snow by Patricia C. McKissack. This short narration
is based on an occurrence derived from the racial differences that were being experienced in the
United States of America during the civil rights movement in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Ray the first African American bus driver waves the fare and picks up a woman ghost and her
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baby. This tragic story does a great job in educating children about historical circumstances
African Americans faced during the civil rights movement.
Based on the analysis of horror stories, it is clear that such literature has positive and
progressive aspects that make the use of scary stories not as bad as one would think. These
stories could shape personal growth, psychological growth, and help children learn about
literature. These books become an avenue that can be used to educate children on their strengths
and weaknesses. As they use their imagination to figure out various characters, children sharpen
their critical thinking skills. They learn who the good people are and those who can be trusted.
They also face their fears, as they interact with spooky and frightening characters. Stine and
McKissack are both well-accomplished authors who have turned the use of horror stories into an
important and critical teaching tool for children. Horror stories are truly not so scary after all,
they can be educative while relishing in a harmless experience of thrill. Children who read scary
stories are more adapted in handling their inescapable fears and are greatly equipped to flourish
in a progressively, ambiguous world.
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Works Cited
Crippen, Martha. “The Value of Children's Literature: Oneota Reading Journal.” Luther College,
Luther College, 2012, https://www.luther.edu/oneota-reading-journal/archive/2012/thevalue-of-childrens-literature/.
Florea, Nadia Mirela, and Elena Hurjui. "Critical thinking in elementary school
children." Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 180, 2015, 565-572.
Lester, Catherine. "The Children's Horror Film: Characterizing an “Impossible” Subgenre." The
Velvet Light Trap 78, 2016, pp. 22-37.
Matek, Ljubica. "Teaching Horror Literature in a Multicultural Classroom." ELOPE: English
Language Overseas Perspectives and Enquiries 12.1, 2015, pp. 61-73.
McKissack, Patricia C. "The Woman in the Snow." The Language of Literature, 1992, pp. 956962.
Stine, Robert Lawrence. Goosebumps HorrorLand: Revenge of the living dummy # 1. Scholastic
Inc., 2008.