If you’ve ever shared a space with a child aged 7 to 12, chances are you’re familiar with the quirky character of Greg Heffley—the quintessential Wimpy Kid created by Jeff Kinney. Greg embodies the everykid experience. He faces the daily trials of middle school, navigates the challenges of being the middle child, and grapples with his less-than-stellar social standing. Between critiquing his goofy best friend, Rowley, and dealing with the mysterious Cheese (you’ll have to read the books to understand), Greg captures our childhood feelings perfectly, often saying the things we wished we could express—hilariously.
While Greg seems perpetually down on his luck, author and illustrator Kinney has certainly risen to the top. The series, which includes eight main titles (not counting the DIY book or the movie diary), consistently claims the No. 1 position on bestseller lists, boasting over 115 million copies sold worldwide. The latest installment, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, sold an astonishing 1.3 million copies in its first week alone, with an initial print run of 5.5 million, placing Greg firmly in the realm of Harry Potter.
During a laid-back session, Kinney chatted with my son, Leo, who is an avid fan of the series. Despite likely wanting to head home for Halloween preparations with his own kids, Kinney engaged with Leo in a manner that echoed the tone of his books—full of humor, respect for Leo’s intellect, and genuine curiosity.
Below is their interview, where Leo crafted all the questions himself, up to the rapid-fire segment. Key characters mentioned include Rowley, Greg’s quirky best friend; Rodrick, the rebellious older brother; Manny, the crafty younger sibling; Uncle Gary, the slacker uncle living with the Heffleys; Bryce Anderson, the effortlessly popular kid; and Lil Cutie, a comically embarrassing character Greg wishes to avoid.