As a child, my favorite books were those of the Junie B. Jones series. Junie B. is a charismatic and energetic elementary school student, who's daily trials and tribulations are highly relatable to young children. Author Barbara Park writes her stories in the voice of Junie, a kindergarten/first grade student. She uses the typical lingo of a five year old, and draws the reader in as one of Junie's peers. Junie's hilarious words and antics will have children and even adults laughing out loud time and time again.
I can distinctly remember my grandma reading numerous Junie B. Jones books aloud to me when she would babysit me as a young child. I think it is safe to say that she enjoyed reading of Junie's adventures as much as I did. After a visit to the public library, we would return home with a cloth bag filled to the brim with books of the Junie B. Jones series. Although today I know not to judge a book by it's cover, I always based the order of which I read the series based on Denise Brunkus' line-oriented sketches of my favorite character, Junie B. Jones. I would scan the illustrations excitedly as my grandma attempted her best imitation of a five-year-old's voice. I would laugh tirelessly as I listened to Junie B disobeying her teacher or talking to her favorite stuffed elephant, Phillip Johnny Bob. I related to this spunky and mischievous child through our similar sarcastic attitudes and clumsy behavior. I plan to read this hilarious series to the students in my future classroom and my future children, as I find Junie B. Jones to be a character that every young child should meet.
