Diary of a Wimpy Kid author shares parenting advice, but not on AI or social media
A series finds young readers
Kinney says he originally imagined a book for adults, with childhood recollections framed in the spirit of The Wonder Years or A Christmas Story. His publisher told him he had created a children’s series, a response he found surprising.
The 55-year-old author lives in Plainville, Massachusetts, and has two children, now 21 and 23. Looking back on writing the series and raising them, he shares lessons about encouraging reading and communicating with kids.
Help children find books
Kinney wishes his family had made reading together after dinner a routine. He points to author Jack Gantos’s family practice of gathering with books after the meal as an example he admired.
He advises parents to choose books or magazines that match a child’s interests, whether those involve Pokémon cards, sharks, or tornadoes. Rather than pushing books adults enjoyed as children or material beyond a child’s level, he says the aim is to keep young readers reaching for another book.
Listen and share your experiences
Kinney describes mealtime conversations about a child’s day, without judgment, as a strong starting point for everyday parenting. He encourages parents to help children feel understood by listening and sharing relevant experiences from their own lives.
He also advises parents to be open about difficulties they faced while growing up. While the headline mentions AI and social media, the remarks provided do not offer guidance on either; they address reading, family communication, and screen time only in passing.
Key points
- Kinney says he first pictured his series as a book for adults looking back on childhood.
- He recommends choosing reading material that reflects children’s interests.
- He wishes he had established a family reading routine after dinner.
- His advice here does not specifically address AI or social media.