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Children's bookclub: Read answers from our Q&A with Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler, author of Hank Zipzer.

34 replies

RachelMumsnet · 03/03/2014 14:40

Henry 'Fonzie' Winkler's latest offering Hank Zipzer: The Curtain Went Up, My trousers Fell Down is one of our children's bookclub picks for March.

The semi-autobiographical Hank Zipzer series recounts Henry Winkler's own experiences growing up with dyslexia. They promote the importance of friendship and family, with equal measures of humour and heart. Perfect for even the most reluctant readers, aged seven and up. Apply for a free copy, come and let us know what you/your dcs think or review the book.

Henry Winkler is also taking your questions this month. Post a Q to Henry before 10am Friday 21st March and we'll post up his answers before the end of the month.

Children's bookclub: Read answers from our Q&A with Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler, author of Hank Zipzer.
OP posts:
MNHQ
AliceMumsnet · 10/03/2014 10:42

This giveaway is now closed. We will notify those who have been selected to receive a free copy via email. Please continue to discuss the book here throughout the month and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Don't forget to post a question to Henry 'Fonz' Winkler before Friday 21 March for our Q&A.

Swimmingwithsharks · 11/03/2014 16:17

Hi, just to say that my 6 year old loves your books and thinks the characters and story lines are very funny. He is pleased that you are writing more books. Is the character Hank based on your experiences as a child? Did you have an annoying little sister and a very cool grandad Papa Pete?
My son likes the aspect of Hanks character that things may be difficult but he always finds a solution to his problems.
Thanks for writing these books, I was surprised to see 'The Fonz' had branched out as an author!

curlycaz · 18/03/2014 12:35

Hi Henry

I am looking forward to reading your book.

I was wondering how you feel about your dyslexia now? How does it affect your life these days? Was it difficult to write the book?

Would you consider writing for adults? I am a dyslexia specialist and I work with adults at the moment. It is very difficult to find suitable books for adults that are learning to read or who struggle to read.

Thank you for writing these books.

hulahoopsilove · 19/03/2014 13:47

My 9 year old son has just "found" you, he laughs, churckles and his eyes widen when he re-tells me the storylines.

All I want to say is thank you :)

PS I had a Fonz Poster on my bedroom wall when I was his age and Im not ashamed to admit it you STILL ROCK :)

hulahoopsilove · 20/03/2014 10:11

Question from my Son (age 9) - Were you bullied at school for being dyslexic and how did it make you feel

sc00ter · 20/03/2014 11:41

Hi

Firstly thank you for the book win.

My questions are:

  1. How do you feel now that your books have been made into a Children's TV Series ??
  2. Was this your plan for the books from the start ??
  3. Also The character for yourself (Mr Rock) Is he based on someone you know / knew ??

Many thanks.

sjonlegs · 20/03/2014 13:52

Jem, Scarlett, Archie and I have absolutely LOVED watching the new series on TV. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. Jem was super lucky to have played just the tiniest part in The Curtain Went Up, My Trousers Fell Down, and he says it was every bit as fun on set filming as it is to watch. He's exceptionally proud to have been a part of such a great success. His school friends, dance and drama friends and family are all asking if there's going to be another series after this one ... so we hope to goodness you've got some more books up your sleeve!! Smile

TwoLeftSocks · 20/03/2014 14:08

Ooh, I've just seen this... didn't know it started as a book. Will have to look out for it for our very relucant reader (ADHD and maybe dyslexia).

My question... do you have any encouraging advice for our 7 year old, who is slowly getting there, with lots of help, but is massively reulctant to read.

And... do you have any advice for me, especially when I feel my well of patience rapildy draining whenever I try to help him?

Thanks.

clopper · 20/03/2014 20:20

Hi
just wondering what you think about the recent articles and public debate, stemming from Yale and Durham University, arguing that the term dyslexia is meaningless, unscientific and should be abandoned? Was it helpful to you to have a specific label for your difficulties?

MNHQ
AliceMumsnet · 21/03/2014 11:06

Hi there,

As most of you haven't received your Hank Zipzer books yet, we're extending the Q&A deadline till next week, so please continue to post your questions to Henry, as well as your thoughts on the book on this thread.

CookieLady · 21/03/2014 11:59

Hi,

I just wanted to let you how much my seven year old and I enjoy watching the TV series.

Do you have any plans for writing any other novels?

Thank you.

SuburbanSpaceperson · 21/03/2014 13:09

I don't really have a question, I just wanted to tell Henry Winkler how much my 6 yr old DD loves the TV series of Hank Zipzer. We have recorded the entire series so far and every episode has been watched multiple times.

Poor DD is having a tough time with reading, she has lots of extra help at school (which she thinks is playing games with the resource teacher). She has fantastic concentration and is very eager to please so she tries really hard but it's clear that she doesn't recognise words in the way that most of us do, letters are also a problem like b and d. Even if a word re-occurs on almost every page of her reader she has to start from scratch with sounding it out each time.

It doesn't help that her older brother picked up reading in no time, and that he has no tact (ASD and incredibly mind-blind) and says that people who can't do the things that he finds easy must be 'stupid'. She asked me one day if Hank Zipzer was stupid because he finds it hard to read and write, and she and I both agreed that Hank was clearly far from stupid because he always finds another way around and is much more inventive than most of his peers, and generally comes out on top. Grin

Actually, I do have a question. Are there any plans to bring Hank Zipzer out as an audio book? If there are plans, please, please, please say that you will be narrating them. I'm in that narrow age bracket that is old enough to remember the Fonz in his heyday, and young enough at the time to have thought he was genuinely the coolest character that ever lived. It would be no hardship at all to listen to your voice on a long car journey. [flirty] Grin

weathermum · 25/03/2014 12:30

interesting book just right for a 10 year old I am sure she will enjoy reading it very much I will pass it on to her and await her reaction which I am sure will be positive ..The text is just the right size too..thankyou very much for giving us the chance to read this

bioniknan · 28/03/2014 09:14

My grandson who is 7 read the book with some help from me and we found it very amusing he now wants to get more of these books to read.

Yasmin1 · 29/03/2014 12:38

Gave this book to my 11 yr old daughter to read and she loved it. She found the story really funny and interesting. Hanks's character was amusing and he persevered through his difficulties. She said it was good also as the story involves issues with friendship. Great read. Thanks for sending me the book. Highly recommend watching the tv programme too.

cavylover · 29/03/2014 17:50

Uplifting and very enjoyable book primarily about an unlikely friendship and how it progresses. The book also shows how not to give up at a subject even if you do not excel at it straight away. Very funny in places as well. All in all a very good read with a positive message.

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 01/04/2014 11:32

Many thanks to all those who sent in reviews and questions to Henry. We've closed the Q&A now and will be sending the questions over to him and will post up his answers as soon as we get them back.

OP posts:
Uzma01 · 04/04/2014 17:36

Was an interesting read, written in a quirky style & quite funny in parts. Would recommend to my nieces who are teenagers.

nerysw · 14/04/2014 07:45

Sorry - took me a while to read this but it's a really good little book. I was of course intrugued that it was written by 'The Fonz' himself - the only person who can make a double thumbs up look cool - and he didn't disappoint. A great read, the characters are brilliant and Hank himself is very funny. Nice to read a book that isn't too worthy about kids with problems.

MNHQ
AliceMumsnet · 17/04/2014 09:45

Thanks to all those who posted questions for Henry, we have his answers and will share them with you now Smile

MrHenryWinkler · 17/04/2014 09:48

@Swimmingwithsharks

Hi, just to say that my 6 year old loves your books and thinks the characters and story lines are very funny. He is pleased that you are writing more books. Is the character Hank based on your experiences as a child? Did you have an annoying little sister and a very cool grandad Papa Pete? My son likes the aspect of Hanks character that things may be difficult but he always finds a solution to his problems. Thanks for writing these books, I was surprised to see 'The Fonz' had branched out as an author!

Hank Zipzer is indeed based on my life. The humour is exaggerated. But Hank lives in the apartment that I grew up in. He also goes to the same school I did. My sister is 4 years older than I am, and I believe she has learning challenges too. Sadly, I never met any of my grandparents. But remember, you are powerful. Love, Henry

MrHenryWinkler · 17/04/2014 09:51

@curlycaz

Hi Henry

I am looking forward to reading your book.

I was wondering how you feel about your dyslexia now? How does it affect your life these days? Was it difficult to write the book?

Would you consider writing for adults? I am a dyslexia specialist and I work with adults at the moment. It is very difficult to find suitable books for adults that are learning to read or who struggle to read.

Thank you for writing these books.

At first, I was angry when I found out that I have a learning challenge. But now I believe that my struggle in school gave me the strength to be where I am today. Warmly, Henry Winkler

MrHenryWinkler · 17/04/2014 09:52

@hulahoopsilove

My 9 year old son has just "found" you, he laughs, churckles and his eyes widen when he re-tells me the storylines.

All I want to say is thank you :)

PS I had a Fonz Poster on my bedroom wall when I was his age and Im not ashamed to admit it you STILL ROCK :)

Hi hulahoopsilove,

Tell your son he has excellent taste in reading material and that he is powerful. I appreciate his enjoyment.
Warmly,
Henry Winkler

MrHenryWinkler · 17/04/2014 09:54

@hulahoopsilove

Question from my Son (age 9) - Were you bullied at school for being dyslexic and how did it make you feel

I went to a private school for boys in New York City. We wore blazers and ties everyday. Most of the kids were very strong academically. I was so weak, it was hard to hold my spoon at breakfast. Yes, I was bullied for not doing well and for always being the bottom in the class when it came to test time. It is the worst feeling and I made sure that my children never bullied.

MrHenryWinkler · 17/04/2014 09:55

@sc00ter

Hi

Firstly thank you for the book win.

My questions are:

  1. How do you feel now that your books have been made into a Children's TV Series ??
  2. Was this your plan for the books from the start ??
  3. Also The character for yourself (Mr Rock) Is he based on someone you know / knew ??

Many thanks.

My writing partner Lin Oliver and I are so happy, not only that Hank Zipzer IS a television show, but we are also so happy about the quality of the show. Yes, Mr. Rock was my teacher in year 11. He was the music teacher. Mr. Rock was the only one who said, "Winkler, when you get out of here, you will be great."

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