What ’80s kid doesn’t remember the excitement, absurdity, and all-out grossness of the Garbage Pail Kids? Made by Topps as an icky, sticky trading card-based alternative to Cabbage Patch Kids, GPK dominated our childhood with the likes of Jay Decay, Nasty Nick, and more. The fact that our parents and teachers hated them was just icing on the rancid cake. Now, the Garbage Pail Kids have been making a comeback, and another childhood icon, author R.L. Stine, is here for it.
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Most famously known for his Fear Street and Goosebumps series, Stine’s newest books will be based on the Garbage Pail Kids. In a statement exclusively to Entertainment Weekly, Stine said, “The Garbage Pail Kids are ghastly, loud, messy, out of control… out of their minds. In other words, MY kind of kids! I’m hoping to create a book series that captures all the loopy slapstick fun of these uniquely awful characters, to get all middle-grade kids reading — and laughing.”
The series’ cover art is by Joe Simko with illustrations by Jeff Zapata, who are both longtime artists for the GPK cards and brand.
From ABRAMS Books: Welcome to the town of Smellville, where nine kids all live in a big tumbledown house and have as much fun as they possibly can. People may think that they’re gross and weird and strange, but they’re not bad kids—they just don’t know any better. In this hilarious new series from bestselling author R. L. Stine, the Garbage Pail Kids—from Adam Bomb to Brainy Janie—get into mischief at their middle school, all while battling bullies and their archenemies, Penny and Parker Perfect. These all-new illustrated stories are sure to amuse, entertain, and blow away readers of all ages. Bonus: includes four exclusive Garbage Pail Kids stickers!
The first book, Welcome to Smellville is now available for pre-order for $14.99 USD. Visit ABRAMS Books for more info and a list of participating stores.
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