....it did stop me sucking my thumb though.

My grandfather had both this Strewelpeter book and Max and Moritz (which I had completely forgotten about until you mentioned it, @Andre. I blame you for tonight's nightmares). I remember that weird childhood fascination with things that are scary - I wasn't really allowed to read it but would sneakily pick it off the shelf and flick through the pictures, knowing it was terrifying but unable to stop looking. *shudder*

I love the Gashlycrumb Tinies and fully intend to share it should I ever have children - a little safe fear is good for you ;)

Here in the UK, immunisation against chicken pox is not routine, with the general medical advice still being that to contract it as a child and thus gain immunity is still preferred. The varicella vaccine is only routinely available to those in specifically risky groups. So here you will still find parents keen to take their kids to parties where there is a suspicion of chicken pox. It worked for me! Although the 'pox in the mail' idea is just icky...