It is with a great deal of sadness, that I report of beloved children’s book author, Barbara Park, has passed away. Selling more than 55 million copies in her career, perhaps her most famous creation, sassy and smart-mouthed Junie B. Jones, will continue to be loved by children across not only North America, but the world. Originally Park studied to be a teacher, but after only one semester training and completing the requisite student teaching experience, she decided that she would stick to writing about kids, rather than teaching them. And we are glad that she chose that path.
The writer passed away on Friday after an ongoing battle with Ovarian cancer, according to Random House Books for Young Readers. She lived most of her adult life in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her husband and two sons. She wrote dozens of books, both illustrated and chapter books, as well as poetry, and even the occasional Hallmark greeting card. She never wrote adult books because, as she once said, “I’m not sure I’m actually grown-up enough.”
She will be missed.
For those who may be interested, here is a list of her completed works to date:
Picture Books: Psssst! It’s Me…the Bogeyman, Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from Your Baby-in-Waiting,
Novels: Almost Starring Skinnybones, Beanpole, Buddies, Dear God, Help!!! Love, Earl, Don’t Make Me Smile, The Graduation of Jake Moon, The Kid in the Red Jacket, Maxie, Rosie, and Earl – Partners in Grime, Mick Harte Was Here, My Mother Got Married (And Other Disasters), Operation: Dump the Chump, Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President, Skinnybones,
Junie B. Jones Series: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth, Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying, Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday, Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren, Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed, Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal, Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy, Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, Junie B. Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl, Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine, Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket, Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day, Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl,
Junie B., First Grader Series: Junie B., First Grader (at last!), Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch, Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder, Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants, Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band, Junie B., First Grader: Shipwrecked, Junie B., First Grader: BOO…and I MEAN It!, Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.), Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha!, Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny, and Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten!(And Other Thankful Stuff)
