NPR's Book of the Day Jeff Kinney on his iconic, now 20-book 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series
Dec 23, 2025
Jeff Kinney, the creative genius behind the beloved Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, shares insights from his journey as an author and cartoonist. He reveals that the iconic character Greg Heffley is a funhouse version of himself, embodying relatable flaws that make readers laugh. Kinney discusses his rigorous joke-writing process and the hilarious themes of his latest release, Partypooper, featuring birthday-party disasters. He reflects on the timelessness of Greg's adventures and the universal appeal that has captivated readers around the world.
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Greg Is Kinney's Funhouse Mirror
- Jeff Kinney says Greg Heffley is a "funhouse mirror" version of himself with amplified flaws.
- Kinney explains he was an imperfect, wimpy kid and channeled that into Greg's character.
Childhood Clown Became 'Hopeless' Joke
- The character Hopeless the Clown came from Kinney's real childhood memory of a miserable clown his mother hired.
- Kinney blends real life and fiction, using personal memories to fuel comic scenes.
Birthday Parties as Social Commentary
- Kinney uses birthday-party scenes to offer light social commentary on parental competition and social media.
- He notes parents sometimes use elaborate parties to amplify their own image through their children.