Best-selling writer James Patterson praises 6 kids’ books, including “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (here). He’s featured all of these books on his own site, Read Kiddo Read, which is really great and has so many suggestions for good books to read. It’s definitely worth checking out to find some fun new books.
Have any of you seen the “Dog Days” ice cream truck at your local library yet, on its cross-country tour? It’s already been to many cities in California, Las Vegas Nevada, Phoenix and Laveen Arizona, Kansas City Missouri, Topeka Kansas, Omaha Nebraska and Des Moines Iowa. It’ll be in Chicago Illinios today. If you’ve seen it, comment and let us know what it was like. Were there lots of kids? Was the ice cream good? Did they give anything away?
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” Ice Cream Truck Tour is happening now through the end of August! For a schedule of all of its stops, a look at a map of the whole tour, and to check out pictures from stops that it has already made, check out the Abrams site (here).
He talks about how he got the part, and what it’s like (here).
Who can you see playing Greg’s Dad, or Rodrick or Rowley?
Steve Zahn
Well, Steve Zahn, an actor whose voice was heard in the movies Chicken Little, Stuart Little 1 and 2, and Dr. Doolittle 2, has just been chosen to play Greg’s Dad.
Devon Bostick
Devon Bostick, from the movie Princess on the ABC Family Channel, has been chosen to play Rodrick.
Robert Capron
Robert Capron, from Bride Wars, will play Rowley. News is that Jeff Kinney is also an Executive Producer on the movie, as reported (here).
Zachary Gordon
Eleven-year-old Zachary Gordon, from “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” and “Bubble Guppies”, has been cast as Greg Heffley in the new “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” movie. Chloe Moretz, from “500 Days of Summer”, is negotiations to be in the movie too. Rachel Harris, from “The Hangover”, will be playing Greg’s Mom. Thor Freudenthal, from “Hotel for Dogs”, will be directing and Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will be producing. The screenplay was written by Jeff and Jackie Filgo (from “That 70’s Show”), and Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs (from the new 90210). The movie begins shooting in Vancouver on August 12th, and there’s an open casting call for extras there. The movie is still set to be released by Fox 2000 on April 2nd 2010.
Here’s book 4’s cover! The initial run of 3 million copies, about Greg’s summer vacation, are still scheduled for release on October 12th, 2009. Also, to promote “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days”, a Wimpy Kid ice cream truck will visit libraries across the country, starting in Sacramento, CA and ending in Boston, MA, during August 2009! You can get all the details about the whole tour and book 4 release on the official Wimpy Kid site.
He talks about the new book “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days”, the character of Greg Heffley, how the series might end, and the new movie (here).
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books are 4 out of the Top 10 Children’s Bestsellers for the first half of 2009, January through June. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” is number 5, the original “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is number 7, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself” is number 8, and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” is number 10. The whole list can be seen (here).
Jeff Kinney and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” have received 6 nominations in the 2009 Harvey Awards, including Best Writer, Best Cartoonist, Best Inker, Best Continuing or Limited Series, Best Graphic Album – Original, and Special Award for Humor in Comics. Congratulations! We knew the Wimpy books were great! A listing of all of the nominees in all of the categories is (here).
He talks about Greg, why he thinks kids like his books, and the new movie.
