Behind the Scenes with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Interview and #GIVEAWAY)
An Interview with Jeff Kinney
By: Ashley
Hopefully you’ve had a chance to read one of Jeff Kinney’s hilarious children’s novels from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I’d also say that hopefully you’ve had a chance to catch one of the first two Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies! On August 3, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days will be coming to theatres. With all of the success that surrounds the book series and the first 2 movies, Dog Days is sure to be great movie!
Here’s a quick little piece of Wimpy Kid food for thought. Did you know that the book has been translated into 40 languages? How crazy is that? It definitely goes to show just how popular these books are! Mr. Kinney even commented, “There have been languages that the book’s been translated into that I didn’t even know existed! Like… Catalan!”
When I was getting ready for the interview, I read that Brad Simpson (producer) from the film said Jeff Kinney “is the glue that holds the films together.” Steve Zahn (co-star) continued to add that some of the success the stories (on paper and film) have experienced is because “they’re told from the perspective of a kid, and Jeff is still a kid.” I had to ask about this during the interview and the truth behind the characters is definitely important to Kinney. He said that one of the best compliments he ever received (critically), “somebody said that they couldn’t sense the adult behind Greg Hefley (the main character).” Kinney continued to say that he took that as “a huge complement because (he) worked really hard at remembering what I was like to be a kid.”
So wonderful to hear about an author who supports his characters and does whatever he can to keep them true!
When looking at the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, you might notice that there aren’t really any strong female characters. I asked Mr. Kinney about this, and was curious to hear if there were any plans to change that. According to Jeff (Kinney), “there’s a message to readers that Greg doesn’t understand girls…” Does that mean we’ll never get to know a lady in the Wimpy Kid Universe? Of course not! Kinney says “I found reason to create a character who was a female as a possible love interest the book (Dog Days).” After spending so much time on Greg and the other Wimpy Kid staples, Jeff realized, “Wow, I’m really going to have give her a personality!”
Does that mean we’ll be meeting Greg’s girlfriend one day? I think that would be pretty cool.
Winning a great Diary of a Wimpy Kid prize pack would be another pretty cool thing! Want to enter? Just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Shanta S.
Please see the giveaway rules
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it has tought my son how to pick out the bullies from freinds
i like that it helps kids be more sensitive to differences
haven’t seen it but bet my nephew would love it (i’m more into scifi)
I love that there are books and movies….it’s fun to watch the characters in the flesh after you read the books!
I just saw this with my grand-daughters who love it. I like that an average kid,not the toughest,”coolest” kid is the focus.
my kid loves it
I like that my son likes to read it for the kid humor!
I love that it took these books to get my son from having to read as a chore to wanting to read. These books will always be a favorite of mine and got my son to change his ways!
We haven’t seen any of the movies yet, but I love that the books got my daughter into reading! For a while I was struggling getting her to read anything but she loved these books and then she was willing to read other stuff too!
i helps kids to be respectful of one another
I like that the movies appeal to young kids and also teens. And to their parents. My two little grandsons love them.
My grandson has read the books but I don’t know too much about it myself. Hoping to win this just for him
it teaches the lesson that it is ok to be different
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
i think its a cute movie series
I like that they hae both the books and movies
my nephew likes it for whatever reason he does : )
THey’re imaginative
my daughter loves the situations that they often find themselves in of their own doing
I actually have not seen the movies yet, going to the movies tomorrow to enjoy it with my grandson but he loves them and looks forward to seeing the new movie tomorrow, thanks
sewitupjulie@gmail.com
My son enjoys watching them and reading the books, so that makes me pleased
I like that my son thinks it’s funny, and it’s not so bad for us adults to watch either.
i like that it’s a series my nephew relates to
nannypanpan@gmail.com
My daughter loves to draw the characters and has a couple of the books.
I like that my daughter loves to read the books. I also love that the movies are funny and entertaining for everyone in the family.
my daughter loves it because she said it’s like real school life
we like that its funny
Because they’re so funny they appeal to both kids and adults
funny
I love how creative and witty the movies are.
We like it because it is even funny for adults!
I like that it is so funny!
It teaches kids that most people are good, and bullies never prosper.
I haven’t seen or read them, but my son seems to like them 🙂
I just like that my nephew enjoys it.
I like the website they had where you cna draw and create your own wimpy kid.
grandson is always telling me how funny they are
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I have not seen this to be honest but it look like something my son would really enjoy
I love that there are both books and movies
My daughter would love this! I movies that draw in both adults and kids…perfect for family night!
i love their imagination
I like how it is directed towards younger children
Don’t know – we haven’t gotten to see it yet
i love this series
I like that it is something both younger kids and teens like
My kids like them
I love how easy it is to relate to it!
I like it because its something that makes my son laugh
It’s very funny
I have not read the books but my grandson loves them
I like the the books are some of the few that my sons like to read.
beckytag618 at gmail dot com
i like the wimp yourself feature
My kids think it’s funny
I like that you can create our own Wimpy Kid.
priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com
I love the drawings – they are funny
I like that it gets the kids excited about reading!
I love that they are appropriate for my kids but yet funny for all of us.
I love that they show the Underdog prevail, yet stay true! My 8 yr old & I love these movies/books!
I think it helps kids look at things from different perspectives, and gives some insight into people’s actions.
I love that is is funny and their imagination
tanyajoshanti at gmail dot com
We like that the books are like real life.
I just love the characters and how it is easy for kids to relate to.
I like that I can watch with Liz and Tristan and we all laugh.
I like how relatable the characters are. Thanks!
I like that it is relate able.
We haven’t read these yet. My daughter is starting to read chapter books andd thought this would be a good read.
I dont much about the world bc my boys r young. My niece on the other hand loves the series. Would love to win for her birthday on the 26th.
I like that it is funny and entertaining
I like Rodrick!
I like how relate-able the characters are to my kids!
I love this book because it’s the only book my son LOVES to read!
I like that it keeps the kids entertained – they love the series
I like watching from a different perspective. You get a sense of empathy.
I really like how funny it is!
Because it’s funny.
My daughter has loved it since she found a book for sale at her school book sale.
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
I wonder if Greg will get a girlfriend? Thanks for this contest!
I like that the whole family can watch it and people can relate to it.
My son loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
It’s funny.
I like the random bits of animation.
I love how much I can relate to the DOAWK universe with my own en devours when I was in school.
I like that the characters are realistic.
I like that it is funny
It makes me laugh, and it is cute
I like that the characters are relatable.
Very funny and entertaining!
I like how I can share it with my children and just enjoy it together.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
because i am a wimpy kid.
I like that itg is wholesome fun for kids.
I like that they get kids to read.
I like that the characters are so easy to relate to
I like the humor and stories