Abrams Children’s Books has announced the future publication of “Garbage Pail Kids #1: Welcome to Smellville,” the first book in a middle-grade series inspired by the Garbage Pail Kids.

R.L. Stine, author of the “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” series, has signed on to author the book. The series will feature cover art by Joe Simko and interior illustrations by Jeff Zapata, both mainstay artists for the GPK brand for Topps. Each book in the series will be packaged with four exclusive sticker cards.

“The Garbage Pail Kids are ghastly, loud, messy, out of control… out of their minds,” says Stine. “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 deal for three books, including world rights, was negotiated by Charles Kochman, editorial director, Abrams, and Ira Friedman, vice president, global licensing, Topps. Kochman will also edit the books.

“R. L. Stine’s gifted storytelling and enormous youth following offers the Garbage Pail Kids franchise the opportunity to connect with a new generation,” says Friedman. “While our brand’s community of lifelong collectors remains as passionate as ever, we’re also very excited to see GPK engage with the audience where it all started: kids! We can’t wait to celebrate our 35^th anniversary throughout the year leading up to the release of ‘Welcome to Smellville’ in October!”

“Welcome to Smellville” will release in hardcover, eBook and audio editions on October 6, 2020. When it hits stores, it will be joined by the recently announced Garbage Pail Kids version of Monopoly.