The third movie based on the wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series comes to theaters everywhere on August 3, 2012. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS, follows Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) – as he “hatches a plan to pretend he has a job at a ritzy country club – which fails to keep him away from the season’s dog days, including embarrassing mishaps at a public pool and a camping trip that goes horribly wrong.” Co-stars Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, and Steve Zahn are also back for more in this hilarious PG-rated summer movie which is perfect for the whole family.
Last week I got a chance to chat with author, Jeff Kinney about the worldwide success of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Check out the trailer for Dog Days (with Spanish subtitles) and then the interview below! (BONUS: the Diario de Greg website in Spanish is a lot of fun!)
Interview with Jeff Kinney
Author Jeff Kinney with Diary of a Wimpy Kid character, Greg Heffley
SB: Hi, Jeff! I’m Tracy López on behalf of Spanglishbaby.com. I got my hands on the Spanish version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid – And as a parent raising bilingual children, I was really happy to see that the humor had been translated very well. How did you ensure that difficult to translate jokes and phrases in the book weren’t lost in translation?
That’s a great question. It is actually something that I actually have no control over, no real knowledge of because the books have been translated into 40 languages. There have been languages that the book’s been translated into that I didn’t even know existed, for example Catalan. It’s sort of a leap of faith where you hope that the translator is getting it right. For example, I wanted to write something where Roderick tells Greg that two dollar bills are not real money and that Greg’s two dollar bill collection is just, you know, it’s just basically play money. I had to really think about whether or not I want to put it in my book because that wouldn’t really translate into other languages because other countries probably don’t have rare two dollar bills. So, those are the considerations I’ve been making since it’s been translated.
SB: Jeff, you mentioned that the book’s been translated into 40 languages, and I was just wondering how you feel about that. Are you surprised at the book’s massive success?
Oh, yes, definitely. Everything that’s happened past 2007 has been like the Truman Show for me. I’m actually sitting with my editor today, and we were just reflecting on all this, and I can’t believe the book was ever published to begin with. I just thought the format was too unusual. For the series to be in all these different places all over the world, and to have the opportunity to meet kids in places like Australia and Scotland, it just blows my mind that kids have taken to these books. I thought they were too distinctly American, but it seems like they really enjoy the narrative, and that’s been one of the real surprises to me.
SB: I understand that Zachary Gordon, who plays the character Greg in the movie, is also the voice of San-San on Ni-Hao Kai-Lan. I was wondering if you had ever heard Zachary speak Mandarin?
Yes, I think we’ve made him do the voice from time to time. But, I believe, and I could be wrong, that the change in his voice made it impossible for him to continue that job.
***
Here’s some more exciting information for fans of the series – Jeff says “One of the things we’re doing that I’m very interested in is taking these stories into animation. For example I am really interested in doing a holiday special.” Jeff also promises that he is planning on continuing the series. “I’m literally illustrating book number seven as we speak,” he said, “And…I hope to keep writing for as long as I have good ideas.”
Ready for the giveaway? Here’s what you need to do!
The Giveaway
We’re giving away one Diary of a Wimpy Kid gift pack to one lucky winner. The gift pack includes:
· Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (book)
· The past two movies on DVD (Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules)
My son is excited about this movie
thanks for the opportunity to enter 
I haven’t read any of the Diary of a Wimpy kid but have heard great things about it.
I like that it appeals to all ages. My 4 and 7 year old gramdsons both love the first two movies and I enjoyed watching with them.
I subscribe via email
My daughter has never really enjoyed reading so I was thrilled when she decided The Diary of a Wimpy Kid was a book she really wanted to read.
My daughter says she likes them because their” funny” and she likes the parts about Greg’s life.
I have not read them, but I have talked to kids at school (I’m a teacher) who love them! I like that they get kids reading!
My daughter thinks the books and movies are funny
I have subscribed by email
I love that these books encourage kids to read
I like the diversity the books and movies offer with a variety of languages!:)
I subscribed to emails!:)
i like the first movie and all the books because its funny and greg looks like my son hahaha
)
we enjoyed watching all the movies so far… started with my oldest and now my 5yr old .. we are looking forward to the new one .. im a fan of your site.. thanks
This is a movie that I wish I could see more in the near future with my kids while they are still young.
We have never seen them but are looking forward to it.
I like that my son thinks the movies are so funny and they aren’t too bad for me to watch either.
i haven’t read or watched it but I think my kids would love it.
i like how its so funny
email subscriber
I like that they are entertaining to ppl of all ages
I’m a subscriber
Entertaining movie/book – appropriate for all ages and enjoyable for whole family!
I enjoy the newsletter! I’m a subscriber!
Email subscriber. I love Diary of a Wimpy Kid because my whole family has enjoyed the movies.
I like that is easy for my son to read then other books. He has special needs and these books hold his attention.
I’m already a subscriber
This would make a perfect Christmas gift for my nephew. : )
What a great giveaway!
I like that it is so funny and the book encourages kids to read.
I am already an email subscriber.
I love these books because they totally suck in my 6 year old son – who HATES reading
The first 2 I have seen and they are so funny and family friendly. From my oldest nephew 13 to my son 2 we can all find things that are funny and entertaining from this series.
i suscribe and I encourage my peers at school!
this was the first book series both my older boys really got into and have actually read over and over again! It’s silly and so ideal for their age group! The oldest has a signed copy of one of the books by Jeff and it’s a treasured keepsake for him!
My little cousin’s got me hooked on Diary of a Wimpy Kid. And I’d have to say they are awesome and super funny, doesn’t matter what age you are I’m sure you will enjoy them!
I love the book series because my boys love reading them!
I am already a subscriber to SpanglishBaby emails
I like the artwork – such a simple design yet so fun!
i like that my nephew relates to the books
nannypanpan@gmail.com
newsletter
My new class this year is 3rd grade. I think these books and the movie would be of very high interest!
I love the fact that my son, who doesn’t read very much, read the whole series, and loves the movies. Anything to that make my son read more is a plus.
I like the movies because the entire family enjoys them. We love these movies.
I love that the story line keeps kids in tune, and many can relate with the characters
email subscriber
I have not seen the movies or read the books but I would like to learn more about the series!
email subscriber
Yeah, I guess you’re right, Patricia. But he’s just a wimp, you know.
I love that he us just a regular kid.
I am an email subscriber.
I loved how they stand up from the bid kids and it is very funny. My kids love it =]
My son cant wait to watch this movie
ThankS!
I like the messages the books and movies teach.
I have a crush on Greg Heffley.
I am 13 years old and in 7th grade, and I go to East Junior High School Boise, Idaho. I’m a girl, too. My first name is Patria, my middle name is Zuleikah, and my last name is Walker. Call me by my first name.
Also, I was born on June 10th, 2000.
I didn’t go to school today. I just went to my grandparents’ house. Because I was sick with a cold. I’m still sick, just a little. I think my sickness is starting to heal. I was more sick last night. But I’ll think my cold will go away soon. I’m going to school tomorrow, because after my mother picked me up from my grandparents’, she said that if people get colds, they have only one day off.
Love you, Greg. >.O