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Author Information
 Barbara Park is one of today's funniest, most popular authors. Her Junie B. Jones series which began with JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS is loved by young readers of all ages. Her middle-grade novels, which include SKINNYBONES, THE KID IN THE RED JACKET, MY MOTHER GOT MARRIED (And Other Disasters), and MICK HARTE WAS HERE, have won over 40 awards, including 25 Children's Choice awards. Barbara has two grown sons and lives with her husband in Arizona.
A Kidsreads Interview with Barbara Park
Author Barbara Park has written lots of humorous books for young readers, including SKINNYBONES, THE KID IN THE RED JACKET and MY MOTHER GOT MARRIED (And Other Disasters). But one of her funniest characters is Junie B. Jones, whose adventures have followed her through kindergarten and on to first grade. Junie B. stars in her very own series of books for beginning readers, but her hilarious adventures will have kids of any age laughing out loud. She's just learning to navigate the world and that includes riding the "stupid smelly bus" to school, meeting her kindergarten teacher, "Mrs.," and now trying to stay out of trouble with her first grade teacher, "Mr. Scary." We spoke with Barbara Park about Junie B. when the series was first beginning, and here's what she told us.
Kidsreads: Where did the idea or the Junie B. Jones series come from?
Barbara Park: The Junie B. Jones series was originally intended to be a four-book series for a new Random House line called "First Stepping Stones." The idea for Junie B. came from a character I had created in an earlier book titled, THE KID IN THE RED JACKET. There's a "wild child" in that story named Molly Vera Thompson. I'd had such a great time creating Molly, I wanted to have a similar character "star" in my four-book series. Luckily for me, the response to Junie B. Jones has been good, and my series is still growing!
Kidsreads: Who is your inspiration for the character of Junie B.?
Barbara Park: Junie B. is purely fictional. I have to admit, though, she and I share some similar characteristics. I definitely had a few "behavior" problems in school. And yup... just like Junie B., I got sent to "Principal."
Kidsreads: Junie B. uses true-to-life "kidspeak," which gives the books added humor. Are you around many kindergartners who talk that way?
Barbara Park: Not really. Both my sons are grown now. But for some reason, it's not hard for me to get into the mind of a five-year-old and know exactly how she (or he) speaks.
Kidsreads: What kind of feedback have you gotten about this series from kids, teachers, parents? Do you ever get ideas for plots or characters from your fans?
Barbara Park: 1) The feedback for this character has been amazing. I think kids love her because (like them) she isn't perfect. She makes mistakes, and she gets in trouble, and she definitely has a bit of a temper. All of these things make her seem more real. Creative teachers find so many great ways to use these books in the classroom. English lessons are built around Junie B.'s "incorrect" grammar. And, of course, her bad behavior provides lots of topics for discussion. As far as parents, I've heard from many moms and dads who read these books with their kids. They tell me they all laugh together. I love that!
2) I'm always getting great story ideas from Junie B. fans. So far, I've been coming up with my own plots...but as the series goes on, I'm going to need all the help I can get!
Kidsreads: Where is Junie B. headed? Do you have a definite number of books planned, or will Junie B. have as many adventures as you can think up?
Barbara Park: Right now, there's no definite plan for Junie B. I'm writing two new Junie B. Jones books a year. The series is growing slower than most series, but I'm hoping it will stay fresher that way.
Kidsreads: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Barbara Park: Sorry... but I'm afraid it's the same old advice everyone gives:
1) READ, READ, READ. You absorb so much about writing by reading a variety of authors.
2) PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Keep journals...write poems and short stories...whatever.
But most of all....
3) WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU LOVE. I love writing humor...but others prefer mysteries or fantasies. Writing should never be a drudge. So have fun with it!
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