Junie B. Jones, headin’ to Portland, Ore., and other cities along the way…
Junie B., on trying to stay calm until Show-and-Tell:
“Yeah, only I don’t actually know if I can do that,” I said, “‘Cause I’m already trying to be calm. And this is how I’m turning out.”
— from Junie B., First Grader “Aloha-ha-ha!”
Dear, dear readers,
It is a sad day for a parent when her child outgrows Junie B. Jones and Elmo. Some of you are not so fond of Elmo, I’ve heard. I understand. I feel that way about the Boo-bahs and Barney and that stoned sloth on PBS Kids. But Elmo and Junie B. found their way into my heart and stayed there. Until the day my daughter said, “No,” dragging my son along with her.
The next sentence I heard was: “We don’t like Elmo. Or Sesame Street. No!” And that door slammed shut, never to be opened again.
I wept, then I gave up. But Junie B. — oh, Junie B. I didn’t know if my son would like you. But he does. We just received this note, along with a brand, spankin’ new copy of “Junie B. Jones, First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha!”:
June 2008
Dear Reviewer/Producer:
THE JUNIE B. JONES(r) STUPID SMELLY BUS TOUR is coming to Portland!
Summer 2008 marks the FIFTH anniversary of THE JUNIE B. JONES(r) STUPID SMELLY BUS TOUR, a national tour that brings everyone’s favorite first grader Junie B. Jones to life through a live, theatrical performance that includes a show and tell of some of Junie B.’s favorite things from home. Author Barbara Park has created an original script that is sure to have kids laughing from start to finish. The Junie B. Jones(r) series is one of the most popular among kids, and has sold 44 million copies to date. Each year brings another new crop of readers to this amazing series and to Junie B., who has been hailed as “feisty,” “entertaining,” and “full of spirit.” Last year’s tour brought Junie B. to over 20,000 fans, and this year’s tour is poised to reach even more of Junie B.’s readers.
Junie B. and her faithful bus driver Mr. Woo will be traveling in their hot pink bus, to 25 cities during May through July. At each event, Junie B. will perform for her fans, and will then “stamp” their books with her signature stamp pad. The events conclude with fun, Junie B.-themed giveaways for kids
to take home as a keepsake of their meeting with Junie B.! The events are free and open to the public, and are recommended for children ages 5 and up.
This year, the tour will be headed to Portland on June 22nd and will be stopping at:
Powell’s (Cedar Hills Crossing), 11:00 a.m.
Borders Books & Music (Tigard) 4:00 p.m.
(Yay.)
Our favoritest June B.’s:
I know exactly how you feel. My kids are already way past Junie B and I didn’t even get to read half the series! I don’t have to wait for grandkids, do I? Maybe I can sneak a peek at the library.
June 14th, 2008 | #
Alice, I didn’t realize how many books in the series had been published — almost 30, I think? It’s one of my favorites, too. The writing cracks me up. My daughter still calls me “That Woman,” a la Junie B.
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb/
June 14th, 2008 | #
YAAY!! Shh…don’t tell…but the twins still like Junie B. sometimes. It’s one of their guilty pleasures, like reading a trashy romance novel on the beach instead of classic literature that Improves the Mind. ;) Are you going to see her? Junie B. Jones ROCKS!
June 14th, 2008 | #