Fall Books and Games for Kids

Parenting Toolbox
Confessions of a Scary Mommy by Jill Smokler (Gallery Books, $15) offers blog-post confessions from “real moms leaving real thoughts, without fearing judgment or negative reactions.” Some confessions are sad, others are “pee-in-your-pants funny.” All are real and connect shared experiences “scary mommies” from across the world can relate to and appreciate. Hardcover.

Fall Pets and Pleasures
Ready for Pumpkins by Kate Duke (Alfred A. Knopf, $16.99) delightfully follows “Herky,” a guinea pig and first grade class pet, through school adventures that include his discovery of pumpkins during a class lesson about how to grow them. Herky decides he wants to be “more than just a classroom guinea pig,” and decides to grow his own garden of pumpkins during summer break. Kids will enjoy Herky’s humorous point of view throughout this fun fall story. Hard cover. Ages 5-9.

Scary Celebrations
Goosebumps, the book series by R.L. Stine about ordinary kids who find themselves in scary situations, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. You can now download the TV series via iTunes and an audiobook via Scholastic Audio. Continue the anniversary celebration by accessing Goosebumps video games from Scholastic Interactive, including the Get Goosebumps PhotoShock app for iOS and Goosebumps Horrorland for Nintendo Wii. Learn more at scholastic.com/goosebumps.