Biography
The author of the hit Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Kinney was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2009.
Born in Maryland in 1971, it wasn’t until he attended college that Jeff realised he wanted to be a cartoonist. Studying at the University Of Maryland, he originally studied computer science but changed to criminal justice so he would have more time to work on his comic strip, Igdoof, for the college newspaper.
After graduation, Jeff instead turned his attention to his new project, about an average middle schooler who dreams of rising to the top of the pecking order. He worked on his book for 6 years, before starting to publish it in instalments online, where it gained a dedicated following.
In 2006, Jeff signed with a publisher, and in 2007, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid was published. It became an instant bestseller, and to date, over 290 million copies of the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid have been sold worldwide. With 19 instalments, numerous spin-offs and several film adaptations, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid remains one of the most influential series for tweens.
Full of silliness, humour and relatable issues of sibling torment, friendship dilemmas and schoolyard politics, Jeff Kinney’s Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series offers an entertaining look at a life many children will recognise. With a comic book feel, complete with line drawings and speech bubbles, Jeff Kinney has been credited with helping struggling and reluctant readers to pick up a book and enjoy the pleasures of reading.
