'Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May)'

[DEC. 7, 2005]  ^"Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May)," by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus illustrator, 2005, Random House, 128 pages, ages 6-9

Review by
Louella Moreland

Just in time for the Christmas holidays, the new "Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May)" book is on the shelves! So many young readers will enjoy this delightful tale about the spunky first-grader Junie B. and her friends. Parents who read the book with their children will be sure to smile over the situations in which Junie B. seems adept in getting herself involved.

In Barbara Park's newest release for children, the Christmas holidays are approaching and Mr. Scary's first-grade class returns for more adventures. They are preparing for the holiday store visit and a Secret Santa gift exchange. Of course, as luck would have it, Junie B. draws the name of the girl who is always tattling to the teacher about her. You guessed it… her name is May!

How in the world can Junie B. think of an appropriate gift for this thorn in her side? To make matters worse, at the holiday store Junie B. sees a wonderful toy that she just has to have for herself, but Mom and Dad have not given her enough money to afford it in addition to the gifts for her family.

The story is told three ways: through Junie B.'s journal entries, story text and amusing pencil illustrations by Denise Brunkus. This format, used in the other Junie B. books, gives a sense of familiarity to the young readers who enjoy these books. Large font allows quick reading, while short chapters give a sense of accomplishment.

As an adult (unless you are a teacher who has had a Junie B. in your classroom) you may feel that the character is a little over the top in being able to attract so much trouble. Junie B. is not the ruffles-and-lace-type little girl! However, the children love to see how Junie B. will extricate herself from her newest escapade. They can relate to each scrape she finds herself involved in because they are problems that school children face every day. Each scenario is kept in the realm of "believable possibility."

In the end, we usually see Junie B.'s better side win out, her conscience guiding her through the torment of her young desires. Perhaps we, as adults, need to be reminded that these small skirmishes of the soul are what our children are experiencing so that hopefully we show the patience needed to help them find their way, hopefully growing wiser as they grow older.

Whatever your reason for reading "Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May)," you will enjoy this holiday story. Don't forget to read the other Junie B. books by Ms. Park!

[Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, Lincoln Public Library District]

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