Jeff Kinney

Jeff Kinney is the best-selling author and illustrator of the wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, featuring the everyday life of the very relatable adolescent Greg Heffley.

Kinney spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C. area and later moved to New England. As a young reader, Kinney was inspired by the books of Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, and J.R.R. Tolkien. While a student at the University of Maryland, Kinney decided he wanted to become a cartoonist.

Kinney began noodling ideas for the firstDiary of a Wimpy Kidbook in 1998, but it wasn't until the spring of 2007 that the book was published — and quickly became aNew York Timesbestseller, eventually reaching the number one spot. In 2009, Kinney was named one of the 20 Artists & Entertainers in The TIME 100, the magazine's list of The World's Most Influential people. In 2010,Diary of a Wimpy Kidwas made into a movie.

Kinney is also a successful online game developer, cartoonist, designer, and the creator of Poptropica, known by children around the world. Poptropica is an online role-playing game designed for kids 6 to 15 where players travel between islands to complete quests.

Kinney currently lives Plainville, Massachusetts with his wife Julie and their two sons, Will and Grant.

Learn more at the official Wimpy Kid website.

Books by This Author

Cabin Fever

By: Jeff Kinney
Age Level: Middle Grade
Greg Heffley thinks kids who don't celebrate Christmas have it much better; they don't have to behave between Thanksgiving and the time Santa comes! Greg's concerns about his conduct, his family's traditions, and possible trouble at school make for a memorable tale.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

By: Jeff Kinney
Age Level: Middle Grade
Greg Heffley's mom makes him keep a journal — NOT a diary! — Greg forcefully asserts. In his journal, Greg uses words and comics to recount life in middle school beginning at the end of summer school. Greg's voice and stick figures ring true and set the tenor for tales told in other Wimpy Kid books.

Dog Days

By: Jeff Kinney
Age Level: Middle Grade
Summer, according to Greg, is all about video games and other indoor activities. His mom does not agree, however. Of course, that Greg had a falling out with his best buddy doesn't help calm his mother's enthusiasm for getting Greg involved in other things. Another recognizable saga comes to life in word and comics.

Rodrick Rules

By: Jeff Kinney
Age Level: 6-9
Will Greg's older brother, Rodrick, reveal Greg's most embarrassing moment to the world? It's a real possibility as the school year starts and Greg's diary (aka journal) goes missing. Greg's cartoon line drawings and journal entries reveal Greg's (often self-made) disasters with deadpan humor.