In celebration of book 15 in Jeff Kinney’s mega-bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, the author took an innovative approach that followed pandemic protocol. Kinney embarked on The Deep End Drive-Thru Pool Party, a socially distanced tour along the East Coast. The tour, which kicked off on October 27 and ended on November 13, featured a number of interactive book-themed stations for kids and their families to experience from the safety of their vehicles. At the end of each visit, Kinney posed for photos with fans. We’ve gathered highlights from the festivities.
Participants were encouraged to “Wimpify” their cars for the occasion. Here Kinney, sporting a lifeguard sweatshirt, greets a family. Photo: Abrams.
Cars drove through a pool noodle sculpture upon arrival. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Abrams Books.
Another decorated car. Photo: Abrams.
Kinney with the team at Curious Iguana, in Frederick, Md., which hosted a launch event on October 27. Photo: Abrams.
“The Deep End,” a 26-foot tent designed to look like the bottom of the pool, was the penultimate station of the event. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Abrams.
The author delivered books to kids via a pool skimmer as their parents drove onto a large pad that resembled a pool. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Abrams.
Kinney took socially distanced photos with all attendees in front of a Wimpy Kid-branded truck that hauled the event set and equipment throughout the tour. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Abrams.
