Jeff Kinney and team arrive at the Macy's Studio in New Jersey
Jeff works on the design of Greg's mouth
New York, NY, September 30, 2010—Get ready for Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid as you’ve never seen him before! Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS, and Macy’s announce the 2010 debut of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon in the 84th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradeâ. Stepping off on Thursday, November 25, 2010, the Macy’s Parade is broadcast nationally on NBC-TV, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., in all time zones. In 3-D for the first time, Wimpy Kid is one of two new giant character helium balloons that will debut in the legendary Parade lineup this year, joining 13 other helium giants. The Parade is part of a series of initiatives celebrating the release of the fifth book in the series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, which is on sale Tuesday, November 9, 2010, with a first printing of 5 million copies.
“I’m incredibly excited that Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been chosen to be a part of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Jeff Kinney. “When I think of all of the iconic characters that have flown in years past, I feel humbled and honored that my character will be a part of the Parade’s history.” ABRAMS president and CEO Michael Jacobs added, “Kids and adults alike will be delighted to see and experience their favorite children’s book character rendered ‘larger than life.’ We are thrilled Wimpy Kid will be shared with millions—in person and on TV around the world—at a grand new height.”
In addition to seeing their favorite character take a larger-than-life form, Wimpy Kid fans are encouraged to enter a sweepstakes to win a trip to New York to see the Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon up close. Open for entries on September 30, one lucky winner and three guests will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in New York along the Parade route. The winning entry will receive airfare for four people, a hotel room for two nights, and VIP grandstand tickets to watch the Parade live as it makes its way down the streets of New York City. Full details and an entry form can be found by going to www.abramsbooks.com/wimpykidsweepstakes. Entries will be accepted through October 30, 2010.
“The Macy’s balloon line-up will once again reach new heights this year with the debut of Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” says Amy Kule, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Jeff Kinney’s character is iconic for the millions of children who empathize and relate with his trials and tribulations. We are excited to welcome him into the Macy’s Parade family and can't wait to see the smiles of children everywhere when they see him take flight on Thanksgiving Day.”
For more than 80 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been the official kick-off of the holiday season. Every year, the
Parade is seen by more than 3.5 million people who line the streets of New York and more than 50 million people who tune into NBC to watch the giant balloons, one-of-a-kind floats, the nation’s best marching bands, hundreds of cheering clowns, and a host of celebrities ring in the holidays.
Since publication of the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in April 2007, more than 37 million books are in print in the United States, and the books have been sold in more than 30 countries around the world. Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS, Kinney’s work has been widely credited for its ability to turn reluctant readers on to books. In 2010, the movie adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid grossed more than $60 million in box office sales, the book series won a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, and books in the series won numerous awards voted on by students and teachers in schools around the globe. In 2009, Jeff Kinney was named one of TIME magazine’s most influential people in the world. A second movie is in production now and is expected to be in theaters March 2011.
Books by Jeff Kinney include Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, and The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary. The next book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, goes on sale Tuesday November 9, 2010. The series is a fixture on the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, and has remained consistently in the top spots on the New York Times lists since publication.