Diary of a Whimpy Kid?

MommyToAshley wrote: Do your kids like these books? Do you let your kids read them?

Ashley has only read part of the first book, but she already seems to be nuts over the book. She has the Do-It-Yourself Diary that she has been writing in. She's reading the first book Diary of a Whimpy Kid at the school library, so I have only seen segments of it here and there. The Do-It-Yourself Diary seems cute and funny, and I get a kick out of some of the things Ashley has written in the Diary.

However, I have heard some parents say that they don't let their kids read these books. So, now I am wondering if I should go buy the books so I know what she is reading and what the objections are to the books. (They're all checked out at the library with a long reserve list so I'd have to buy them). The kids seem to love them, but I am curious as to what the objections are by some parents. The only thing I have seen from the Do-It-Yourself Diary is that there is use of some improper english just like in the Junie B Jones books. That used to drive me nuts in the Junie B Jones books, but Ashley just points out what it "should" be. I also am not so found of the lable "whimpy kid" but I don't know how that plays into the book either. I've read that the character is not perfect and doesn't make the best moral judgements (but I only know this from reading some reviews), but that's why it appeals to kids because the character is not perfect and it let's them make judgements for themselves.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experience with these books. Ashley asked for them for Christmas, but I'd like to know more about them before I purchase them. I'd probably have to order them online as they are sold out everywhere.

hairdontgrow replied: We let our 7 year old read. It makes it easy to discuss choices characters made.

luvmykids replied: Every first and second grader I know loves them. I haven't read a lot but what I have read, I enjoyed. I haven't heard any parents objecting though so I may have to do some checking out myself.

Our school librarian is a good friend of mine and I really trust her judgement, she knows I don't like my kids reading certain themes and helps them choose books she thinks I'll be ok with. If my kids are reading something based on her suggestion, I'd be very surprised to find it questionable.

mom21kid2dogs replied: Olivia has been ga ga over them for the past few years. They do use language we don't (ex: the word "stupid") but nothing foul. She reads them to me all the time (she knows to read arouond words we don't use)and they seem goofy but not overly so. Then again, I had no objection to Junie B either. I thought she was hilarious (still do) and alot like the kindy & 1st grade kids I see on a daily basis. Wimpy Kid seems alot like that only in a slighly older frame. FWIW, I heard the author on NPR and he said he doesn't let his 6 year old read them because he felt the content was a little above them. He felt they appealed to the 8 and up crowd. I'd say, given who I see reading them, that's about right.

kimberley replied: Jacob likes these books too. he thinks they are humorous because this kid gets himself into crazy situations. i don't think the books are any worse than what's on TV.

boyohboyohboy replied: I read the book first, and its funny, probably more humerous for parents as the kids might not have had these experiences at the age of first and second grade, but caleb read it and liked it.

jcc64 replied: My 7th grade special ed students loved those books-- Corey hasn't seen them yet. She is a diehard Captain Underpants fan, though. I have to admit, I kind of love him, too.

paradisemommy replied: Taven LOVES them too - we have books 1 and 2 - and i don't think there is anything too awful wrong with them. my kids know what words we don't use (like STUPID) in fact every time they see/read it they'll gasp and look at me and say - "they said the S word". LOL so i think the books are fine!

luvmykids replied:
My kids think "Shut Up" is the S word

paradisemommy replied: well they are actually both the S word in our house but we seem to hear the word stupid more than shut up..but it's hilarious..we'd be at the playground playing and taven would run up to me and say "MOM skyler said the S word" and i get glares from other parents in ear shot like i'm the worst mom then he'd whisper to me..she said stupid..

mckayleesmom replied: Mckaylee's teacher read it to the class...Mckaylee loved it and that was the first I heard of them.

julesmom replied: We have all 4 books. My oldest is 11 and has read the books more then once. Boys love them.