Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones, No. 1)
#1 of 28 in Junie B. Jones Series
What’s inside...
Meet the World's Funniest Kindergartner, Junie B. Jones! In the first Junie B. Jones book, it's Junie's first day of kindergarten and she's terrified of the school bus and the mean kids on it. By the time school is over, she's so scared that she decides not to go home. Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling series, with over 50 million books in print, has been keeping kids laughing and reading for over 20 years. The series continues to receive praise from critics, including USA TODAY, Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Time Magazine.
Discussion points
How did Junie B. feel on her first day of school and why do you think she felt that way?
What are some ways Junie B. tried to solve her problems with the school bus?
If you were Junie B., how would you have handled the situation differently?
What does this story teach us about handling new or uncomfortable situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express how they felt about Junie B.'s decisions and actions in the book.
Ask your child to relate Junie B.'s school experiences to their own, promoting empathy and understanding.
Discuss the importance of overcoming fears and learning from new experiences, drawing parallels from the book.
Celebrate your child’s responses, assuring them that feeling nervous or scared about new challenges is normal and okay.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Handling New Experiences
Explanation: Junie B. navigates her first day at school and deals with riding the bus. She faces these new challenges with both humor and trepidation, providing a realistic depiction of adjusting to new environments.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that it's normal to feel nervous about new experiences, like the first day at a new school or any unfamiliar situation, and that they can overcome these feelings.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: Throughout the book, Junie B. expresses a range of emotions, from excitement to fear to anger. This depiction helps children understand that all feelings are valid.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to openly express their own emotions and teaches them that talking about their feelings is a healthy way to deal with them.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Junie B. encounters several problems, such as finding a way to avoid riding the bus. Her innovative (though not always advisable) approaches to solving these issues showcase basic problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking through problems and coming up with solutions, even if they need adult guidance to refine their strategies.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As Junie B. interacts with other children, she experiences various social dynamics and perspectives, which aids in developing empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of considering other people’s feelings and viewpoints, fostering a more empathetic approach in their interactions.