SARASOTA – Some Sarasota students got a lesson in imagination and creativity from a Hollywood movie producer Tuesday.

Ethan Smith co-produced two Diary Of A Wimpy Kid films. He talked to Alta Vista Elementary School 3rd and 4th graders about the process of making movies, and how he helped bring the best-selling book series to the big screen.

The Wimpy Kid stories feature characters dealing with real life situations that are familiar to young students.

The school’s principal says it’s important for her students to understand that books are great for the imagination. "He's been able to show the students the importance of using your imagination and creativity, and experience a book from different levels and how they can make a book come alive in their minds," said Principal Barbara Shirley.

And there’s good news for fans of the Wimpy Kid series, a sixth book will be released later this year.