With 19 formats available there is one for every reader.

Kindergartener Junie B Jones comes face to face with the Monster Under Her Bed on the pages of this book offered by Author Barbara Park and Illustrator Denise Brunkus. With 19 formats available there is one for every reader. Available as Kindle, paperback, hardback, new and used and part of boxed sets Junie B Jones is very popular in my First Grade classroom. Junie B, the B is for Beatrice, is in the grade of afternoon kindergarten; this amusing, child friendly chapter book begins with Junie B’s musings regarding picture day at school. This is the book chosen by our leader of day for afternoon story time the day before Osage County First Grade was to march to the high school gym for picture day at our school soon after the opening of our new term. The uncontainable, delightfully little kid on target, Junie B explains the role of the Cheese Man. It is he who comes to school to take the pictures, and he makes you say cheese, although Junie really doesn’t know why. As Junie chats cheese with the Cheese Man I am reminded of first one and then another of the scholars I have taught over the years. Their photographs too were quite as much catastrophic as is Junie B’s who also will not stop talking and the photographer finally presses the button and calls for the next student. Ill-advisedly during the lineup for class picture Junie finds herself standing next to Paulie Allen Puffer who imparts his awareness of the monster under the bed thus setting the center for the rest of the book as Junie deals with considerations of a Monster Under Her Bed. Chapter 2 and Junie works to soothe herself that there is really no monster, however here classmates are busy working on penmanship and are writing letters. Absorbed in their work no one wants to participate in dialogue regarding the monster. Chapter follows chapter with Junie seeking comfort from friends, family and especially her Grandma regarding the monster. Nothing really works to assuage her concern; not even Grandma bringing a flashlight served to satisfy Junie’s growing alarm. Junie’s parents along with a group of best loved toys did not change Junie’s mind. Junie’s friend Grace revealed next day that her grandma had had the ideal answer for Grace when she too had Junie B’s worry. Only problem, Junie’s family doesn’t have a trash compactor as does Grace’s family. Grace’s wonderful solution won’t work in Junie’s house. At last Junie hits upon the perfect solution for the problem in her house and life becomes calm again, at least for a while. Eights chapters offered over sixty-nine pages, along with a handful of pen and ink line drawings have fashioned a fun, child pleasing chapter book dandy for teacher or other adults reading aloud to children and a perfect tome for strong readers to carry home and read with parents. As a teacher with many years in the classroom; I find the Junie B books to be charming for children and for many adults, myself included, as well. Parks’ use of children’s lingo is something I find to be pretty true to form amongst numerous of the kindergarten and first grade students I have taught over the years. Many second and third grade students I taught in first grade often stop by today to show me chapter books they are reading. Our school encourages cross grade readers and my former students delight reading to or with my Firsties, and laugh over how comical Junie B talks as they recollect that they too used to use a lot of little kid talk, however, I find that today that my former students feel all grown up and now that they are in 2d or 3d grade and use correct grammar, and the right words, they don’t talk like a little kid anymore. Monsters under the bed is something Osage County First Grade and I chat about each year; worry about the dark, monsters in the closet, attic or under the bed is a common fear small children tend to harbor. There are several great books addressing that old childhood anxiety. Reading books about the fright and talking together as a group tends to benefit children toward understanding that their fear is one many children have, that it is something they can realize, not feel humiliated to admit, and will not forever harbor. I find text and illustrations are perfect for the Junie B books. It is pretty noticeable that writer Parks, and illustrator Denise Brunkus have spent some time in the company of children. Told in the first person; Junie B’s account is filled with unsophisticated prose, thoughts and concerns much to the delight of children for over 2 decades. And, yes, I have known a talented, boisterous, to some bothersome child or two who remind me very much of Junie B and my oldest son as well, bless their enchanting hearts! And I’ve watched with happiness as those children, and my own son too, have become some of the discreet, well-mannered girls and boys in the older grades who help the little kids on the playground, share their ice cream money with those who have none, walk unobtrusively in the hall and turn in all their work, on time! Product Details Title June B Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed Author: Barbara Park Illustrator: Denise Brunkus Age Range: Read to age 5 Read with many 6 and 7 year olds Read Alone many 7 to 9 year olds adore these books Reading Grade Level: 1 - 4 Paperback: 69 pages Publisher: A Stepping Stone Book, Random House Books for Young Readers; FIRST EDITION edition (June 24, 1997) ISBN-10: 0679866973 ISBN-13: 978-0679866978