Young Adult Literature

R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack

Jamie Canaves

Contributing Editor

Jamie Canavés is the Tailored Book Recommendations coordinator and Unusual Suspects mystery newsletter writer–in case you’re wondering what you do with a Liberal Arts degree. She’s never met a beach she didn’t like, always says yes to dessert, loves ‘80s nostalgia, all forms of entertainment, and can hold a conversation using only gifs. You can definitely talk books with her on Litsy and Goodreads. Depending on social media’s stability maybe also Twitter and Bluesky.

It seems fitting that R.L. Stine’s birthday is in October, the spooky month, considering his contribution to my childhood was scaring me via his books. If, like me, you grew up reading his books, then his name—or the word Goosebumps—probably conjures up vivid memories. My brain gets flooded with two: that I never babysat without feeling like I was automatically in danger because I was babysitting; the vivid, weird, spooky and awesome covers.

Looking back now I realize that R.L. Stine covers actually fall into one of three categories: scared white people; monsters; animals attacking. I decided in honor of the Goosebumps creator’s birthday (yesterday!) to roundup the animals attacking covers—mostly from the ’90s, some recent—because they still delight me as much as they did when I was a kid.

Bad Hare Day From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

A vicious white bun and a pun! Clearly this magician’s assistant just ate his boss.

Chicken Chicken From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

I don’t know if this is a lab created chicken-girl or a chicken dressed as a girl for Halloween, but that claw is clearly looking to scratch someone’s face off.

Claws! From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Okay, so this cat is either about to attack or doing jazz-hands—either way I’m counting it.

Deep Trouble From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Jaws called his cousin Hammerhead, and boy you’re in danger!

Frakenstein's Dog From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Yeah, that’s clearly a vicious killer—just look at its dead doll eyes!

Little Shop of Hamsters From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Furry wheel-riders and a nod to one of the greatest ’80s movies—these hamsters can attack me all they want.

 R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

The poodle got one too many unwanted haircuts and bows tied to its head and it’s fed up!

The Barking Ghost From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Cujo, is that you?!

The Cuckoo Clock of Doom From R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack | BookRiot.com

Tired of years of no one appreciating his time reading skills, this cuckoo is gonna peck your face off.

So you may think that werewolf just turned and that’s his clothes, but who’s to say that isn’t the clothes of the dude he just ate?!

They’re good dogs, Stine!

Another terrible lab experiment? I’m not sticking around to find out if this bee has a stinger…

 

If you’re interested in the artist behind the Goosebumps’ covers, here’s an interview on Vice. Want even more R.L. Stine?