Children’s novels are a sweet delight which can be savoured by adults as well. The magic we all experienced as kids while entering the world of stories, is one which even as adults we cannot put into words. “Diary Of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney is an American children’s book, which follows the life of Greg Heffley, a middle-schooler who illustrates his daily life in a dairy. The series contains a total of nine books which include drawings of Greg’s everyday life.
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Greg Heffley finds himself in a school where short and weak personalities like him are surrounded by a taller and meaner group of students. Greg records every incident in his diary, and the risks of growing up before one is ready, which are creatively conveyed through words and drawings in the book.
In the first novel, Greg is content with having Rowley, his friend, by his side. However, as Rowley’s celebrityhood begins to rise, Greg tries to take advantage of his best friend’s newfound success for himself, which sets off a series of circumstances that will put their friendship to a test.
When we think of children’s Literature, we think of fairy tales, magic and all things nice. But Jeff Kinney bought a fresh approach to this genre, where in “The Diary of a Wimpy kid”, the author made sure to include relatable topics, both for the kids and their families.
The book series deals with issues that every kid struggles with while growing up. The author shows instances of bullying and the social structure of friendships, which in turn makes the young readers wonder – what is it that they would do in that situation.
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This novel has been a role model for kids and parents since the time it made its mark in the market. It has broken the idea of a conventional children’s book and has provided a fresh and more realistic portrayal of life as it is, rather than telling kids a story about an imaginary world where all turns out well in the end.
The novel also prepares the younger crowd as well as their parents, and lets them know the kind of world that they enter when they start school, and how is it possible for them to make the best out of their time, even in the worst scenarios.
The age rating for “Diary Of a Wimpy Kid” is 10 and above. The children below this age group who choose to read this book may require parental guidance.
It is recommended to explain to kids the various mishappenings that happen in Greg’s life while he is in school and at home, and how it is important for every kid to understand the brutality of bullying and the effect it has on children. For all parents out there who wish to introduce their kids to literature that will have a long-standing impact on their child’s life, this book series is the right choice.
Greg is an imperfect figure and his story is relatable, which in turn helps the young readers develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Apart from being an excellent read, it also motivates the reader to ask questions, which can prompt important conversations within the family and also along with friends, in turn developing a strong tie of communication.
The diary format of the book series, helps the readers put themselves in the shoes of Greg, which also makes the reader differentiate between what is morally correct and what is not.
Like every children’s book provides a moral lesson, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, does the same but with a more realistic approach. Jeff Kinney made sure to write the character of Greg as an imperfect kid who makes mistakes and gets into fights, but the author has provided a workbook for the readers where they figure out Greg’s own work of correcting his mistakes and his behaviour.
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This book series is recommended to be read by all age groups. It is a perfect book to read while you are cuddling with your little one, while you make them enter the world of Greg, all the while preparing them for the struggles of the real world which also come with its daily dose of happiness and life lessons.
