On Easter Sunday, I went to see the musical Beauty and The Beast. But I must admit that the show was as much for me as it was for my stepchildren. (I have a little crush on Beast!) I’m a kid at heart. I love to pose with the Easter bunny (just the two of us); don a funny, bright green wig for St. Patrick’s Day (the frizzier, the better)—even dress up on Halloween (you should see my Farrah Fawcett wig). And I love to read Children’s books. I’m not talking about reading them to the kids (that goes without saying). I’m referring to reading the children’s books to, well, myself.
Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. It started when I “happened upon” the Do-It-Yourself Book while, er, cleaning. I opened it and started reading the cartoons in the middle. I was LOLing instantly. (My personal favorite: Jerome, The Man With Incredibly Red Lips.) Then, I picked up Diary of a Wimpy Kid and found myself turning page after page at mach speed. I glanced over at my stack of “to read” Chick Lit books and laughed. For the next few hours, they could wait. I was having too much fun.
So now I’m ready to read the rest of the series. And lucky for me, a few of the books are sitting in the next room just waiting to be “snatched up” after the kids have gone to sleep. What can I say? Even at thirty-seven, I’m a fan of Greg Heffley, aka, the wimpy kid because I still remember that it can be hard to be a kid. There was a memorable stint when I wore glasses and braces and thought my hair looked amazing stiff and full of gel. Let’s just say the kids at school weren’t afraid to let me know they didn’t agree. I still remember it all—the good, the bad, and the ugly. From peer pressure to cliques, I had my ups and downs. (Come to think of it, I still deal with that stuff now…)
And don’t even get me started on Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the movie. I’ll be taking the kids because “they” want to see it, of course. But inside, I’ll know the truth. I’ll be just as excited to be there.
I’d like to give a shout-out to Jeff Kinney for finding a way to appeal to kids who have a hard time at school. It’s not easy to break through and get children excited about reading and I think he’s done a fantastic job! And hey, if he also makes a few adults—like me—smile too, more power to him!
PS: If you’re reading this Mr. Kinney, feel free to send some books my way! 
Does anyone else read Children’s books for their own pleasure?
Lisa Steinke, along with her best friend Liz Fenton, co-authored the chick lit novel I’ll Have Who She’s Having and co-created the popular Chick Lit blog, Chick Lit is Not Dead.
