Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Creator, Jeff Kinney joins Mumsnet for a Q&A- ANSWERS BACK

59 replies

RachelMumsnet · 19/10/2011 13:49

To celebrate the release of the brand new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book: CABIN FEVER, we're inviting Greg Heffley fans to send in their questions for author Jeff Kinney. When the Q&A closes, we'll send over your questions to Jeff and if your question is one of ten to be answered, you will win a copy of CABIN FEVER.

CABIN FEVER catches up with the Heffley family who are stuck inside when a fierce blizzard hits....the big question being; will they weather the storm?

If you haven't yet encountered the Wimpy Kid books, they are a mixture of comic-strip and novel and have sold over 50 million copies worldwide, as well as being turned into two feature films. They diarise the hilarious exploits of goofy student, Greg Heffley, his family and friends. Jeff Kinney began a comic strip whilst at Uni called 'lgdoof' which ran in the campus newspaper. He then spent six years writing the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which was published in daily installments on the educational website, Funbrain.com. In 2008 the diaries were published together as the first book in the series.

If your children are Wimpy Kid fans, send in their questions for Jeff before the end of day on Tuesday 25th October. You don't have to give any details about your child, although their age may be useful. We'll be announcing the winners and linking through to the ten questions and answers on publication date, 16th November.

OP posts:
GeorgeEliot · 20/10/2011 20:44

DS2 (aged nearly 10) would like to know where in America the Heffleys live.

DS1 (aged 12) wants to know if there will be more 'wimpy kid' films coming out.

Both big fans - thank you.

lagrandissima · 20/10/2011 20:48

I'd like to know what books you used to read when you were a wimpy kid yourself?

chickflit · 20/10/2011 21:30

My DS's (9 and 7) want to know if you have any irritating brothers like Greg? They're both agreed that they each have an irritating brother.

As their mother and like a couple of others on the thread I would like to thank you for opening up the world of reading and writing to my son with ASD and dyslexia. The Wimpy Kid books are the only books he has read for pleasure and by himself, he adores them, I love hearing him laugh out loud while reading. His own journal is also a delight, even with his spelling mistakes and funny drawings.

Catilla · 20/10/2011 22:01

My DS (7) was very excited to hear you were comin to MN, and after some thought asked if you were excited when the first film came out?!

lia66 · 21/10/2011 00:00

only just seen this but my 6 yr old dd has read all of the books and is now writing her own diary. Grin

I will ask her tomorrow what she'd like to ask. Thank you

We all loved the film

elizaco · 21/10/2011 09:00

Is there a book (apart from your own!) that you recommend every child should read?

EmilyFellah · 21/10/2011 09:16

My son would like to know why you decided to write the books as diaries rather than just stories about Greg Heffley's life.

ThatllDoPig · 21/10/2011 09:56

My daughter wants to know. .
How do you manage to write like a kid so well? Have you got kids and if so do they like your writing?
thanks.

barbie007 · 21/10/2011 16:00

My boys (aged 8 and 11) are HUGE fans of the books and I love both films, really funny.

Their question...
Has any of the funny stuff you write about actually happened to you in real life?

Ilikedrinkingblood · 21/10/2011 19:26

DD (age 8) would like to know if Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about you as a child. She loves your books and was so happy when they were bought for the school library.
:)

philmassive · 21/10/2011 19:36

Ds would like to know if wimpy kid was the first 'proper' thing you wrote and what sort of things were you good at in school. By which I think he means the lessons you were best at. Thank you.

bubby64 · 21/10/2011 20:20

DtwinSs (10yrs) both love the books and films, and wish to know the following:
DS1 - Why is Rowley such a baby?
DS2 - How old is Manny meant to be?
Also, are any of the characters based on you or your family, if so, who is who?

jackandbethsmum · 22/10/2011 08:03

Loads of questions from my 10 year old DS, such as what colour will the cover of your next book be and are there any new characters in Cabin Fever? He would also love to know what made you start writing books? My DD (7) wants to know which books you liked when you were little?

TheMonster · 22/10/2011 10:56

I teach secondary pupils, many of whom enjoy your books. Did you expect children to enjoy them at age 15?

Tarka · 22/10/2011 11:26

Hi Jeff, my 8 year old son would like to know who your favourite character is from the books and why?
Thanks. Smile

Tarka · 22/10/2011 11:37

Hi Jeff, my 8 year old son would like to know - who is your favourite character from the books, and why?
Thanks. Smile

Rooroo · 22/10/2011 15:05

Hi Jeff. My DS (age 8) loves all your books and can't wait for Cabin Fever to come out. He'd like to know if you had a brother like Rodrick when you were growing up?
PS He's always singing Loded Diper!

pink4ever · 22/10/2011 15:12

Hi jeff
Have to be honest-we came to the wimpy kid stories through the filmsBlush.
Did you enjoy the films? were the characters how you imagined them to be?-and are there going to be any more because we thought they were great!!

MrsHeffley · 23/10/2011 10:29

DD 6 sings Loaded Diaper. She's had nightmares that Freggly is coming for her with a bogey too Confused.

I know there is a limit on books but could you answer all the questions as my dc are enjoying this thread and would like to know the answers to them all Grin?

pointydog · 23/10/2011 14:27

dd2 turns 13 next week and she's a big Wimpy Kid fan, books and films and books about films etc.

As she has an annoying big sister, she loves Rodrick. Where did your ideas for Rodrick come from? A big brother, cousin, school? And will you be writing about Greg until he is Rodrick's age?

kitandnoodle · 23/10/2011 20:49

DS (7) asks "What made you do the drawings in the books as cartoons?".

lia66 · 24/10/2011 15:43

I am now handing over to my 6 yr dd who would like to type her own question....

How did you think of so fantastic comics?

Cheeseandseveredfingersarnie · 24/10/2011 15:56

ds1(10) would like to say 'they are really good books'
can i add that that he's dyslexic,has never had any interest in reading untill he was given one of your books!hes obssessed!he reads them to me,to his teacher,to himself.for a child that refused to read because he'd had so much trouble being diagnosed with dyslexia,to see him reading and enjoying it is fantastic,so thankyou!

norfolkdumpling · 24/10/2011 17:40

Hello. My 9 year old son would like to ask three questions please. He asked if Greg will grow up in your books like Harry Potter does? He also wants to know how do you make up such funny stuff and how did you learn to draw so well? Thank you.

MissSwift · 24/10/2011 18:58

DD (aged 9 and a huuuuge fan) is asking if Greg had to take part in next year's London Olympics which sporting event would he take part in and why?

Swipe left for the next trending thread