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'Dog Days' inspires school days
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What better way to promote reading on a hot summer day than to pair it with free ice pops?
And that's exactly what author Jeff Kinney had in mind as he launched the Dog Days of Summer Reading coast-to-coast ice cream truck tour to celebrate the upcoming release of "Dog Days," the fourth book in his best-selling series titled "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." On Aug. 26, the bright yellow custom-designed ice cream truck made its stop at the Harborfields Public Library in Greenlawn, where visitors enjoyed popsicle giveaways and entered a raffle to win all four books of the series.
Patricia Moisan, head of children's services at the library, said she was "honored" to learn that Harborfields was chosen as one of 40 libraries being visited by the ice cream truck during the 20-day tour. Published by Abrams Books, Kinney's series has become very popular among young children, Moisan said, because kids can relate to the main character, Greg Heffley, who often finds himself in an "unpredictable situation" but "always seems to get out of it."
"Many kids can identify with him," she said. "They can't get enough."
Among the children enjoying the freebies last Wednesday was Centerport fan David Brown, 9, whose favorite of the series is the third installment titled "The Last Straw," said he likes reading the books because they're "really good" and "pretty funny." Describing a "wimpy kid" as "somebody who's really weak," David said he doesn't consider himself a wimp because he is "willing to try new things" and "willing to stand up for other people, too."
Denise Kelley of Centerport, who was joined by her 14-year-old son, Brian, said the ice cream tour is a great way to promote literacy. "Anything that helps the children to read more is a good thing," Kelley said. "An ice cream on a hot day is a great motivator."
Kinney, whose series made its debut in April 2007, didn't make an appearance at the Harborfields library but said in a written statement, "I'm very excited about 'Dog Days' because it takes Greg out of the school setting for the first time. It's been a lot of fun to write about the Heffley summer vacation." The author's fourth book, which will be available on Oct. 12, will be launched in a one-day national lay down with 3 million copies, according to a release.
"Jeff Kinney's millions of fans — and their parents, caregivers, librarians, teachers, and friends — will be elated to know the new book is just under [two] months away," Abrams President and CEO Michael Jacobs stated.
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