What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

This was a Scholastic Book Services paperback book, very popular in my grade school in the early 1970’s. It was a non- fiction book containing a large number of 1-3 page “strange but true” stories about history/the natural world. I remember a story about New England’s Days Without Sun in the 1800’s (probably ash from Krakatoa in retrospect); a merchant ship found under full sail with nobody aboard; cigar-shaped objects flying through the skies of early America. You know, lots of “true” fun tales for kids to freak over. The number “81” comes to mind – either this is the number of stories in the volume, or the number of pages, or it doesn’t mean anything at all. There were some rudimentary drawings at the heads of some chapters, illustrating some aspect of one of the tales. Thanks in advance to the book sleuths.

I don't know the title, but I'm pretty sure I read that book too. I recall at least one story about spontaneous human combustion, another about a little girl's accordion bursting into flames and the father heroically chucking the flaming instrument out the window, and a story about a woman who starts levitating through through the air and screaming for help as her friends race after her in their car.

It will be interesting to see if anyone comes up with an answer, as I'd also like to know the name of that book.

Strangely Enough, by C.B. Colby, sounds very much like what you've described. It was from Scholastic Book Services. I actually read it in the 1960s but further editions might have been published later. I recall the story about the year without sun, the cigar-shaped flying objects, and the line drawings.

There was also a story about the mysterious 'Barbados Vault' where the coffins inside the sealed vault apparently were moved by some unseen force. Also, 'Spring-Heeled Jack' was featured in another story...something about some mysterious, impossible footprints in snow. Do these sound familiar?

Unfortunately I don't recall any association between Strangely Enough and the number 81.

I think that's the one Vena. I called up a Google Image of the book, and it looks very familiar. I just ordered it from Half.com. Thank you very much.

Dave

Vena wrote: "Strangely Enough, by C.B. Colby, sounds very much like what you've described. It was from Scholastic Book Services. I actually read it in the 1960s but further editions might have been published ..."

Seems that Vena found the book for us, Kinsey.
"Strangely Enough", by C.B. Colby


Kinsey wrote: "I don't know the title, but I'm pretty sure I read that book too. I recall at least one story about spontaneous human combustion, another about a little girl's accordion bursting into flames and th..."

I don't know about Dave, but Strangely Enough is definitely what I was looking for (although there may be other similar books I read at around the same time). Thank you, Vena!

Oh, looks like Dave was typing his reply while I was typing mine. :) Vena gets bonus points for finding two people's book at the same time.

I just received the book in the mail, and it is the book. It looks like it is still in print (the original publishing date was 1940!).
As for the number "81" that was in my mind in regards to this book, well . . . I was close. The blurb says there are "Eighty incredible tales...".

One of the stories actually occurs where I live, on Lake Champlain, about a boy in the Colonial era who escaped his kidnapping from a Native American tribe by traveling down the length of the lake in winter, using skates that had been part of of the tribe's booty from a raid.

Thanks again to Vena!