Fear This Book: Your Guide to Fright, Horror, and Things That Go Bump in the Night

by Jeff Szpirglas, Ramón Pérez (Illustrator)

Who knew that fear could be so much fun? With wacky humor and childlike curiosity, Jeff Szpirglas explores what people are afraid of and why, and what fear does to their bodies and brains. Fearsome facts keep readers on the edge of their seats as they take a deliciously spine-tingling trip through the unknown — and in the process, learn to confront their own phobias. From superstitions to ghosts to monsters, vampires, snakes, spiders, nightmares, thrill rides, and more, Fear This Book comes at fear from every frightening angle. Witty cartoon illustrations underscore the book’s lighthearted approach to a serious subject.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Jeff Szpirglas has had a varied career. He's shoveled manure, worked in a steelyard (he hails from Hamilton, after all), and even frolicked in the offices at CTV Television and Chirp, chickaDEE, and OWL magazines, where he was the kids' page editor. His manure-shoveling days long behind him, Jeff currently teaches children by day and writes books/fights supervillains by night.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear this Book outlines my of the things kids (and adults alike) are afraid of but also clues the reader in on why these fears present themselves as well as the physiological reactions to fears. The author is an elementary school teacher which I feel lends to the credibility of being able to write a book that is engaging for upper elementary and middle school kids. This would be a particularly good book for reluctant readers because the graphics are appealing and the text is not overwhelming.

[Monster]

Jeff Szpriglas has created a guide to fear. Phobias, superstitions, killer animals, monsters, cryptids, scary movies and more- Szpirglas examines them all in Fear This Book. The book is much more than a list of fears, though. The author also explains the physiological and psychological reactions to fright, and details experiments and therapies that have been used to understand fear. This could come across as a pretty academic read, but Szpirglas’ conversational and informal approach, Ramon Perez’s cartoony illustrations, and the colorful design, which chunks information into interesting blocks of text, will grab the eye, and the attention, of even the most reluctant reader. Although it’s a serious topic, and Szpirglas treats it with respect, there’s also humor- lists, silly quizzes, and mascot monsters commenting on the text. In his author’s note, Szpirglas writes that “the more you know… the less you may fear”. Whether you’re looking for knowledge, for entertainment, or for an idea for your next science fair project, you may find what you are looking for in Fear This Book. Highly recommended for school elementary and middle school libraries and for nonfiction science collections in public libraries’ children’s departments

Review by Kirsten Kowalewski

[Duane · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a reluctant reader who never wants to pick up a non-fiction book, then is is a nice starter book. Filled with eye-catching illustrations, readers will learn about the different things that freak us out. From superstitions, phobias, monsters & such, the author does a nice job of giving the reader just enough information to get them interested in learning more. Not a great reference book, but a nice intro to one.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction rules in this humorous book that appeals to kids