Such a fun book to read to children that are not reading yet! This books is listed as a beginning reader book for young readers and you can find it in many series packs or on it’s own on Amazon. The kids and I decided to read this book aloud until Samuel finishes his reading program. Junie B.’s character was created to put a smile on every child’s face and make reading fun! She is fun and outrageous much like her creator, Barbara. is a kindergartner then a first grader in her series. Since then there have been 27 books published about Junie B. Juniper Beatrice “Junie B.” Jones made her debut in the Junie B. Jones is Barbara Park’s most popular fictional character. This nonprofit organization offers financial assistance to those that are battling ovarian cancer. If you would like to support the mission Barbara started, you can find more information at Sisters in Survival. While going through chemotherapy with other women, she was one of the founders of Sisters in Survival (“SIS”). Don’t Make Me Smile became the first book Barbara had published over the course of several decades of writing.īarbara died in 2013 after many years of battling ovarian cancer. After submitting several manuscripts to Young Readers, her first books were published in the early 1980’s.

In high school she felt she had a calling for humor writing and went on to get a college degree. There she raised her sons and activity participated in her grandsons’ lives. Barbara Parkīarbara was born in 1947 in New Jersey, but spent a majority of her life in Arizona. Learning more about her and her naturally humorous whit has brought a smile to my face as I see the love Barbara had for her writing and making others laugh. I wanted to find a good children’s book author and came across Barbara Park. I was born in Arizona and love the state’s beauty. and participate in Booking Across the USA!įor Booking Across the USA I chose to highlight an author from Arizona. Jones books from when I was a kid! I’m excited to explore a little more about the brains behind the fun character Junie B.

Don't Make Me Smile by Barbara Park