Ghostly tales of strange things lurking in forbidden places tie these three stories together. The boys have been warned not to go into a certain room while they are pet-sitting for the neighbor, but, of course, their bravado leads to a session of one-upmanship and the distinct possibility that the cats they are looking after may not be cats at all. Stories from Russia, the United States, and the West Indies are highlighted.

Having been warned not to open the door for anyone while Mom goes to help a neighbor, the three boys try to outdo each other by telling scary stories about strangers at the door. By the time they have finished, they have scared themselves under the bed. Stories in this book come from Bohemia, the Guyanas, and Peru and are based on the universal theme of not opening the door to strangers.

In short lines, large type, and text broken into phrases, three more stories are told. Marcos, Leon, and “I” try to out-do each other with warnings against tasting things that may not be safe. Dire consequences and ridiculous outcomes take the boys to new heights of hilarity in these spooky tales from Australia, Italy, and Eastern Europe.

Baba Yaga, The Golden Arm, and Monster Gogo all come out to play with the imaginations of the boys this time. Children around the world all know that they mustn’t forget important things and these generously illustrated tellings from Russia, England, and West Africa drive the point home in a memorable way.

All that glitters may not be gold and certainly should not be touched, as the three boys find out when they see something strange at a construction site. While deciding their best course of action, they tell each other stories about strange toys, a mysterious glass bottle, and a dragon. By the time they are finished they are scared, but they know just what they should do. The Far North, Germany, and Italy are featured this time.