I am agast. I had heard great reviews and recommendations for Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park, a children's book targeting kindergarten through second graders.
Wow, what a shock I was in when my 6 year old daughter brought it home and we started reading it together. I am appalled at the language and behavior of this fresh, little girl and cannot understand why it gets rave reviews, and supposedly from teachers! Last I knew teachers were trying to keep bad behavior like calling names, making fun of kids, the start of bullying behavior, and hitting other kids out of the classroom. Saying dumb and stupid are words that have been forbidden in class and in my home. Even worse calling other kids dumb and stupid. Disgraceful. My daughter actually stopped me and said she was using bad words and we decided to substitute super for stupid or dumb.
The book she brought home was Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth. As I'm reading this line about Mickey Mouse, I realize that she's giving away that the Mickey at Disneyworld is a guy in a costume but it was already coming out and I didn't know how to react. Sorry but my daughter is six and I want to take her to Disneyworld next year and have her believe in the magic of Disney. Sorry but I'm a believer in letting children believe. The time of being young and innocent is so little. Let's let the kids be kids and enjoy this time of wonderfulness. Why would a woman writing a book for a five year want to give away this secret away. Of course they will learn the truth, but I don't think it should be at five and from a book written for a five year old.
In addition to the bad behavior and giving away childhood secrets, it is written in bad grammer and bad english.
So I thought as I was reading I thought this book must be for older kids. So I searched for it and read the Amazon description and discovered that this book is intended for K through 2nd grade. Even worse this book series has won 40 awards. I am shocked and disturbed that this book would get published, praised and awarded.
Bad language, bad behavior, bad grammer. Presumably this is a good "learning" book to teach kids how NOT to behave. How about we write books that teach children HOW TO behave. Books that will inspire them and teach them to be good, kind children. Kids emulate what they read and mimic at this age. Giving them this sort of book teaches them the wrong thing and gives them a bad role model.
We often critize children for being fresh and you wonder why when this is the reading material that people are praising. How could you not expect kids to be fresh when they are given books that encourage this behavior. I don't want a book that I have to make excuses for and talk up the bad behavior. I'd rather my daughter read a book that doesn't need excuses. That kids can read and enjoy. A book can be funny and not be insulting. I don't enjoy a book that is a bad influence on my child.
I definately will not be buying this book or any from the series. I honestly cannot believe one was published let alone an entire series. What a crazy world. I guess people like stupid books. Oh there goes my big fat mouth. Sorry, just got done reading this stupid book. Keep it away from your 5, 6 or 7 year old or you can expect to hear these words, that we try to avoid, in your house and on the playground.
Junie B. Jones, you get a time out. Don't let your kids read this dumb book.
Jan
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