2nd of April, 2010, by Cadu.
Today I am reviewing the series called “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” written by Jeff Kinney. So far it consists of 4 books, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid“, “Diary of Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules“, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days“. Apparently there will be only five books, with the last one coming out this year.
The books all look like a child’s diary, and have drawings and hand written stories relating the things that happen in the life of Greg Heffley, a kid that has just started Middle School (Junior High School). Although he is a fictional character, I think his stories reflect how many kids of his age see the world around them.
Greg lives with his two brothers, one older and one younger, and his mum and dad. His parents apparently don’t really understand him and don’t know how to show love to him, and he strives to be popular and look cool. In fact, according to him, nobody really understands him, and most of the time he is the best person he knows. Except for when things don’t work as he expected, and that happens very often.
Despite the lack of accurate dates in the stories (he only writes the day of the week, ie. Monday), I really love the way the stories are written. Some stories are incredibly funny, and all the books are interesting and can entertain me for hours. While it is written for kids, many adults will love them (specially the ones who work with kids…).
Bringing the books to reality, there are many kids like Greg, who don’t get real assurance from their families and strive to be popular and maintain a status of cool. While reading the book sometimes I feel sad for Greg, even though he doesn’t exist. As Children’s ministers we should be looking for these kids in our Church services and making sure we do everything in our reach to impact their lives. We can be the ones who will make these kids write a possible “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A God Encounter” book to complete the series… 
I really think you should read all the books! They are awesome!! 
The first three books are based on an online journal that you can find at Fun Brain. You can also buy the books from Amazon or your favourite book shop.
There is also a movie already available in some countries (including the USA) based on the first book of the series. I haven’t watched it yet, but if it is like the book, it is probably awesome!
See you again tomorrow, the 3rd!
Cadu
Tags: Books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, review
Posted in Books, Children, English, Funny, Reviews | 1 Comment » 
19th of August, 2007, by Cadu.
Who can understand the heart of a kid? Who can find out what is really going on inside his heart?
I love a book called “The little prince”, or “Le petit prince” in its original language. It is an amazing book. I don’t mean it is a perfect book with all truth inside. No, I don’t mean that. The Truth Book is the Bible, the Word of God. But there is something special in “The little prince”. It shows how funny we, the not-kids-anymore, are. It shows who we forget everything about being a kid. It shows some of the big differences (maybe not really accurate) between kids and adults.
Adults care about numbers, about facts. Kids care about experience, actions. Kids don’t care about how much money his friend has. They care about how much fun they have when they are together. They don’t make friends just to get a promotion inside their companies. Adults do that. That book shows how funny adults are: they were a kid one day, but simply forgot everything about their experience.
I’m not saying we should be childish. No! I’m just thinking about the big differences between kids and adults. I’m just wondering how good our memory is.
It simply breaks my heart to see one of the kids I really love crying “with no reason” (for the adults) and not being able to tell what is really going on. It breaks my heart. I feel like speaking another language. I feel like in China trying to take my brother to the hospital talking Portuguese with them. I feel I forgot everything about my experiences when I was a child. I can’t even guess what is going on. And it is not something that I can say “it doesn’t matter”. I CAN’T say that. It’s not my hamster that is sick and I don’t know what is going on. This is nothing. It’s one of my “little brothers” with his soul sick… and I feel unable to do anything. I feel trying everything I can and know with no success.
And guess what? I’m sure one of the reasons the kids have their souls sick on these days is because the adults they know (parents, teachers, friends) don’t understand their language and say really stupid and dumb things to them, trying to say something completely different. And I think it hurts a lot.
I just don’t know why we are so stupid to forget our first language. How could we lose the heart of the kid that still lives inside of us?
Posted in Books, English, Random | 2 Comments »
16th of August, 2007, by Cadu.
I’m reading some amazing books…
I’m sure they will change your life, and hopefully lots of lives and generations, through you!
How to really love your child
How to really love your angry child
How to really love your teen
The five love languages of children
All of them written by Ross Campbell, and some of them written together with more writers. But it doesn’t matter. They are really good!
Tags: Books
Posted in Bible, Books, English | 1 Comment »
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