A few years ago, I decided to venture out and take a Children’s Literature writing class.  I was amazed at the many “new to me” authors that had entered this world since my kids were young.  My boys and I practically lived at our Newcastle, Oklahoma library.  If the book we needed wasn’t there, the librarians always ordered it in for us!  So when many of my assignments in this new class were to go to book stores and spend time at the library, I felt right at home.

An author I found to be my favorite, during this class, was Barbara Park.  She is the author of the  June B. Jones  series.  During some of my studies on Ms. Park, I learned that her books were considered controversial because they were written to sound like a child speaking.  Meaning, grammar, syntax, spelling, etc, is not always correct.  Some educators prefer young children to learn by reading grammatically correct works.  What I learned from reading these books, is HOW MUCH I LOVED reading them!  I checked out the maximum the library would allow, took them home and read them to my college son (at the time) and to my husband.  If you haven’t read any June B. Jones Books….check them out!  I really think they’ll lower your blood pressure, but I know they’ll make you LaUgH a LoT!

Here’s an excerpt from a chapter from “June B. Jones and some Sneaky Peeky Spying” by Barbara Park.

“My name is Junie B. Jones.  The B stands for Beatrice.  Except I don’t like Beatrice.  I just like B and that’s all.

I go to kindergarten.  Kindergarten is what comes before first grade.  Except for I don’t know why it’s called that silly word of kindergarten. ‘Cause it should be called zero grade, I think.

My teacher has the name of Mrs.  She has another name, too.  But I just like Mrs. and that’s all.  Mrs. has short brown hair.  And long skirts of wool.  And she smiles a real lot.  Except for sometimes when I’m noisy, she claps her loud hands at me.  It used to scare me very much.  Only then I got used to it.  And now I don’t even pay it any attention.  I wish Mrs. lived next door to me.  Then me and her would be neighbors.  And bestest friends.  And also I could spy on her.

Spying is when you be very quiet.  And you look at people through a peeky hole or a crack or something.  I am a good spier.  That’s because I have sneaky feet.  And my nose doesn’t whistle when I breathe.

Last Friday morning at Grampa Miller’s house, I hided in the dirty clothes hamper.  Then my grampa came in the bathroom.  And I lifted up the lid a teeny bit.  And I peeked my eyes at him.  And guess what?  Grampa Miller took his whole teeth right out of his head!  That’s what!  I popped right out of the hamper. “HEY GRAMPA!  HOW DID YOU DO THAT CRAZY THING!” I hollered.

Pretty soon Mother hurried into the bathroom with angry feet.  “That’s it!” she yelled. “No more spying!  This is the last time I’m telling you!  Do you hear me, missy? Do you?”      “Yes,” I said.  “Cause you’re hollering right in my ear, that’s why.”

Then Mother took me home.  Except for she kept on staying mad at me. ”

So what are YOUR favorite children’s books?  Please share the title or maybe a few favorite lines.  (Anyone else love “Oh, The Places You’ll Go?)

HaPPy Saturday! OH and I almost forgot!  Stuff I Tell My Sister is two months old today! Which means, since I started this on my sister’s birthday, that she is 662 months old today!  How ’bout that, Renae!  😉  Please share us with your friends and ask them to  “LIKE” our page on Facebook!  We’d be much obliged!