'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid' Author Kinney Named 2026 NH Book Festival Schoolchildren's Keynote

CONCORD, NH — Bestselling author Jeff Kinney will serve as the 2026 Keynote for Schoolchildren at the New Hampshire Book Festival, with a school-day appearance set for Oct. 2, at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord.

The annual keynote is a featured part of the statewide literary festival and regularly draws more than 1,000 students, teachers, and parent chaperones from around New Hampshire, according to the festival. The event gives young readers a chance to hear directly from a prominent children's literature author during the fall festival in downtown Concord.

Kinney is the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which follows middle-schooler Greg Heffley through illustrated diary-style stories. According to the announcement, Kinney first imagined the character in January 1998 as a middle-school "weakling" documenting awkward moments in daily life. An early version of the story appeared online in May 2004, with daily diary entries continuing until June 2005.

The first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book was published in 2007, launching what the festival described as a global phenomenon. The series has since expanded to 31 books and sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, according to the announcement. Kinney lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons, and together they founded and operate the independent bookstore An Unlikely Story.

“We are honored to bring such a beloved children’s author to Concord,” Emilie Burack, the co-founder of the New Hampshire Book Festival, said. “We can’t wait for New Hampshire’s schoolkids to see him in person.”

Tickets for schools will go on sale April 20, with public ticket sales beginning April 21, according to the organizers. Each ticket includes an autographed book from Kinney. The festival also offers transportation assistance grants to T-1 schools.

Festival organizers are expecting strong interest in the event. Last year's keynote featuring Tui T. Sutherland sold out, according to the announcement, and organizers anticipate similar demand for Kinney's appearance.

The New Hampshire Book Festival describes itself as a free statewide event founded to celebrate literacy, conversation, and community. Held each fall in downtown Concord, the festival brings together nationally recognized authors, emerging writers and readers for panels, conversations, readings and book signings. More information is available at nhbookfestival.org.