“ Monkeys can't talk, stupid! “
Quotes by Jeff Kinney
Introducing Jeff Kinney
Jeff Kinney is an American author and cartoonist best known for creating the popular children's book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Born on February 19, 1971, in Fort Washington, Maryland, he grew up with a passion for drawing and storytelling. Initially, Kinney dreamed of becoming a newspaper cartoonist, a goal he pursued while attending the University of Maryland in the early 1990s, where he created a comic strip called Igdoof for the school newspaper. Despite his early ambitions, he faced rejection from cartoon syndicates, which led him to pivot his career.
Kinney began developing the idea for Diary of a Wimpy Kid in 1998, spending nearly eight years refining the concept before sharing it with the world. The series follows the humorous misadventures of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler, presented in a diary format with simple, relatable illustrations. He first published the story online in 2004 on Funbrain.com, where it gained a massive following, attracting about 70,000 daily visitors. This success prompted a print deal with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and the first book was released in 2007, quickly becoming a bestseller. Today, the series has sold over 290 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful children's book franchises.
Beyond writing, Kinney is a versatile creator. He designed the child-oriented website Poptropica, which has been recognized as one of Time magazine's top 50 websites. He also owns a bookstore called An Unlikely Story in Plainville, Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife, Julie, and their two sons. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2009. Kinney’s journey from a struggling cartoonist to a celebrated author highlights his persistence and ability to connect with young readers through humor and authenticity
