Do It for the Children
By: Dan Jones
Do It for the Children
Novels, movies, cartoons, special effects, posters, T-shirts, book order forms, and the attractiveness of it all. Once a marketing scheme materializes and hops over and above the line of average sales, reputations are on the line; and more importantly, the creators’ integrity.
A few years ago, bookshelves became stuffed with copies of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and were about as enticing as the “Harry Potter” series. (So they were or weren’t enticing?) I suppose it depends on the individual.
I was skeptical of both series. Maybe it was because of the fanatics (meaning adults), or the “Harry Potter” book covers displaying canvas-like illustrations of a wimpy kid on a broomstick, or the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book covers resemblance to the ripped-paper movie posters like “Napoleon Dynamite.”
If you’re a parent, you may pass the occasional “Have you read this amazing kid book?” conversation and clench your fists or put a palm to your gurgling ulcer. Or maybe you’re the parent whose fancy fanny is tickled by these kid books for adults.
Here’s the issue: kid books are NOT written for adults. Just as R-rated movies are for adults and NOT five-year-olds (before or after 6 p.m. theater times, thank you). There is no such thing as a children-publishing company run by Jimmy Neutron. The Nancy Drew series is not written by 16 to 18 year-old girls. That’s Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” you’re thinking of. Even “Go Ask Alice” was written (“edited”) by therapist Beatrice Sparks and not an anonymous impressionable girl. (But a good book.)
And while I’m on the subject, in the midst of an amateur blog rant, children do not understand the sexual references of “Shrek” movies and won’t understand the girls who flash their headlights in “Cars” until they’ve graduated from high school. (Sex-crazed teens are not sitting at the back of the cartoon-showing theatre to catch naughty double entendres.)
“So who is this Wimpy Kid?” I asked an unsupervised child at my local book store. “A cousin of Captain Underpants?” I asked the child’s infant brother. (Actually, I just asked my own kids; but this scenario isn’t so farfetched.)
It wasn’t until the 4TH book (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days”) that I picked up a copy and laughed out loud by the end of the first day. (Wimpy Kid is sectioned by days. Chapters = months.) But let’s take this one page at a time.
This Jeff author guy (Jeff Kinney) probably got lucky. He knew I, an adult, would read the first few pages. Read on. See if this is appropriate for children. See if adult opinions are warranted.
After ten short pages, I knew cutesy Disney Channel dialogue wasn’t going to sneak in. Nickelodeon-type gross-outs weren’t there either. After fifty pages, I hadn’t lost interest and I forgot to nitpick. Borderline risqué jokes or a Nicholas Sparks’ safety net would have brought me to reality – I was reading a popular junior kid book diary thingy – but I was rather enjoying myself.
I wasn’t bummed out until I had reached the end. Because the ending was great, the read was fun, and overall “Pitch-perfect” – Publishers Weekly. I wanted more! Luckily, my kids had the first three Wimpy books in their bedroom. Weeks later, I would await book #5.
Like many of these short and sweet writer/illustrator cartoonists (Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts,” Jim Davis’ “Garfield”), Jeff Kinney is a comedic genius. These are not books to be forgotten amongst the many cartoon funnies. Kinney’s work deserves even higher acclaim along with novelists A.A. Milne (“Winnie the Pooh”), Lewis Carroll (“Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland,” “Through the Looking-Glass”), Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox”), and E. B. White (“Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web”). One can easily imagine these Wimpy Diaries to be the personal journal of a modern Travis (the boy narrator of Fred Gipson’s “Old Yeller”).
Wimpy Greg Heffley’s anecdotes, self-assurance when faced with fear or sadness, and the motivation and reasoning for his mistakes all make sense … to him. And I’m sure they make sense to your kids. We adults (and we are adults with mere memories of being a child) know the truth behind the narrator’s words and surface emotions, but that’s extra subtext stuff.
The innocent motivation of a middle-schooler and his sense of denial gives a child reader a chance to relate with someone who screws up while the parent (who’s secretly reading the same book) can take a moment to laugh at their kid’s irritating ideas as well as their own anger (or at the wimp they once were).
Sure, it’s disconcerting that Kinney has his name attached to the dorky wimp movie adaptations as Executive Producer (as well as writing “The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary”), but don’t bully the books. Who wouldn’t be proud to have their characters brought to life, or as Kinney specifically words in his special thanks: “Thanks … for working with me to bring Greg Heffley to life on the big screen. ”
The praise upon the back of Kinney’s latest Wimpy book (“Cabin Fever”) strictly refers to the success of the series (e.g. “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is the big fish in publishing now.” – The Hollywood Reporter). Complimentary, but don’t forget his books are also, “A big hit with reluctant readers and anyone looking for a funny book.” – School Library Journal.
Don’t be discouraged by the hastily adapted movies. The foundation is anything but lousy. And if you do enjoy the Wimpy movies, respect Jeff Kinney and read the books.
Speaking of …
children’s books to movies …
“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak was enriched into a film by the magic hands of screenwriter/director Spike Jonze (“Adaptation.”) and then expanded into a novel “The Wild Things” by screenwriter Dave Eggers. All three have stomped into the mind of a rowdy boy in need of escape from his monsters.
book covers that will turn you off …
“Diary of a Zombie Kid” parody/rip-off. Research the lawsuit.
newer visions being NO good …
-Charlie Brown in the 21ST century
Garfield computer animated movies
GREAT adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work …
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” by director Wes Anderson
“Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (minor title change)
POOR adaptations of Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll by director Tim Burton …
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Alice in Wonderland”
made-for-kid movies that adults can sit through (if invited) …
“Stuart Little” – both one and two
“The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (pre-1990′s style preferred)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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