This reminds me of a book that my mother had and read to me when I was very young.
Struwelpeter, or Shockheaded Peter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struwwelpeter
It comprises ten illustrated and rhymed stories, mostly about children. Each has a clear moral that demonstrates the disastrous consequences of misbehavior in an exaggerated way. With blood chilling results.
eg:
In "Die Geschichte vom Daumenlutscher" (The Story of Little Suck-a-Thumb), a mother warns her son not to suck his thumbs. However, when she goes out of the house he resumes his thumb sucking, until a roving tailor appears and cuts off his thumbs with giant scissors.
It's German; presumably grisly childhood tales are acceptable in a country that begat the Brothers Grimm.
And I wonder why I grew up .....a bit odd....... :gaga:
Here's the whole book, digitised:
http://www.fln.vcu.edu/struwwel/petereng.html