Goosebumps SlappyWorld
Goosebumps SlappyWorld is a children's horror book series written by R. L. Stine and published by Scholastic Inc., functioning as a spin-off within the broader Goosebumps franchise that emphasizes scary stories narrated by the mischievous ventriloquist dummy character Slappy.[1][2] The series launched in 2017 to coincide with the franchise's 25th anniversary, featuring standalone tales where Slappy introduces "twisted tales and scary stories" involving supernatural elements, monsters, and eerie adventures encountered by young protagonists.[1][2] Comprising 19 books as of its conclusion in 2023, the series targets readers aged 8–12 and blends horror with comedic elements, often exploring themes of fear, friendship, and the uncanny through Slappy's malevolent perspective.[3] Each volume presents a self-contained narrative, such as a boy receiving a cursed Slappy doll on his birthday in the debut Slappy Birthday to You or siblings trapped in a haunted mansion in Escape from Shudder Mansion.[2][3] While rooted in the original Goosebumps tradition of light-hearted scares, SlappyWorld expands Slappy's role from recurring antagonist to central storyteller, with eight installments directly tied to the "Living Dummy" saga that originated in the 1990s.[4][1] The series has contributed to the enduring popularity of Goosebumps, which has sold over 400 million copies worldwide since 1992, by revitalizing the brand for a new generation through Slappy's charismatic villainy and accessible frights. Books are available in paperback formats, often collected in boxed sets, and have inspired related merchandise and adaptations within the Goosebumps multimedia universe.[3][4]Overview
Premise and format
Goosebumps SlappyWorld is a spin-off series from the original Goosebumps books by R. L. Stine, launched in 2017, in which the ventriloquist dummy Slappy serves as the primary narrator, introducing and framing each story's horror events with his mischievous commentary.[4][5] Slappy, originally debuting in the classic Goosebumps installment Night of the Living Dummy, now "comes to life to tell his own twisted tales and scary stories," positioning himself as a gleeful instigator of supernatural chaos.[4] The series consists of standalone chapter books, typically 160 pages in length, targeted at children ages 8-12 and blending elements of humor, scares, and twist endings.[2][6] Stories are presented in first-person or third-person limited perspectives, often centering on young protagonists whose ordinary lives unravel due to Slappy's influence, involving scenarios with living objects, monsters, or supernatural curses that culminate in ironic or lingering dread.[4] This framing device creates a consistent anthology-like structure, with Slappy's narration providing a playful yet menacing tone that ties the diverse horror tales together.[7] For instance, in the inaugural book Slappy Birthday to You, Slappy is gifted to protagonist Ian Barker on his twelfth birthday, leading to escalating chaos as the dummy animates and ensnares the family and guests in a nightmarish celebration, exemplifying the series' signature mix of birthday whimsy turned terrifying.[8][9]Development and publication
The Goosebumps SlappyWorld series was announced by author R.L. Stine in early 2017 as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for the original Goosebumps franchise, with the first book set for imminent release.[10] This spinoff centered on the popular ventriloquist dummy character Slappy, building on fan enthusiasm sparked by his prominent role in the 2015 Goosebumps film adaptation.[11] Stine, who revived the Goosebumps brand in 2015 after a hiatus, personally authored every entry in the SlappyWorld series under an initial agreement with publisher Scholastic.[1] The debut volume, Slappy Birthday to You, launched on February 28, 2017, in paperback format, marking the start of releases that expanded the line, concluding with 19 books in July 2023.[9][12] The series concluded in 2023 with the release of the 19th book, Friiight Night, on July 4, 2023. In 2018, Stine and Scholastic extended their collaboration, adding further installments to the series amid continued demand.[13] Books were timed for seasonal distribution, typically in spring (March), summer (July), and fall (October) to coincide with school breaks and holidays, enhancing accessibility for young readers.[14] That year also saw the introduction of collected editions, including a boxed set compiling the first five volumes on June 26.[15]Content
List of books
The Goosebumps SlappyWorld series consists of 19 books, published by Scholastic between 2017 and 2023, with each volume typically spanning 160 pages and narrated in part by the ventriloquist dummy Slappy.[16] A special edition anthology titled Slappy, Beware!, containing four interconnected stories, was released in 2022 with 192 pages.[17] Various boxed sets have been produced, including a collection of the first four books in 2018 and an "Ultimate Slappy" set of the first eight books in 2019. The following table provides a chronological catalog of the main series books, including titles, original publication dates, approximate page counts, and ISBNs.| # | Title | Publication Date | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slappy Birthday to You | February 28, 2017 | 160 | 978-1338068283 |
| 2 | Attack of the Jack! | June 27, 2017 | 160 | 978-1338068368 |
| 3 | I Am Slappy's Evil Twin | September 26, 2017 | 160 | 978-1338068399 |
| 4 | Please Do Not Feed the Weirdo | February 27, 2018 | 160 | 978-1338068474 |
| 5 | Escape from Shudder Mansion | June 26, 2018 | 160 | 978-1338222999 |
| 6 | The Ghost of Slappy | August 28, 2018 | 160 | 978-1338223019 |
| 7 | It’s Alive! It’s Alive! | February 26, 2019 | 160 | 978-1338223033 |
| 8 | The Dummy Meets the Mummy! | July 30, 2019 | 160 | 978-1338223057 |
| 9 | Revenge of the Invisible Boy | October 1, 2019 | 160 | 978-1338355710 |
| 10 | Diary of a Dummy | March 3, 2020 | 160 | 978-1338355734 |
| 11 | They Call Me the Night Howler! | July 7, 2020 | 160 | 978-1338355758 |
| 12 | My Friend Slappy | October 6, 2020 | 160 | 978-1338355772 |
| 13 | Monster Blood Is Back | March 2, 2021 | 160 | 978-1338355796 |
| 14 | Fifth-Grade Zombies | July 6, 2021 | 160 | 978-1338355819 |
| 15 | Judy and the Beast | September 7, 2021 | 160 | 978-1338752144 |
| 16 | Slappy in Dreamland | March 1, 2022 | 160 | 978-1338752168 |
| 17 | Haunting with the Stars | June 28, 2022 | 160 | 978-1338752182 |
| 18 | Night of the Squawker | April 4, 2023 | 160 | 978-1338752205 |
| 19 | Friiight Night | July 4, 2023 | 160 | 978-1338752236 |