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It's pooey on B-A-B-I-E-S until Junie B. finds out that her new dumb old baby brother is a big fat deal. Her two bestest friends are giving her everything they own just to see him. And guess what else? Maybe she can bring him to school on Pet Day.
In this guide, words and their meanings are discussed with a lesson in the difference between literal and figurative language as well as the definitions of two important words finding and stealing.
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"When I was in elementary school, I used to dream about having a baby sister. In my dream, she would follow me around adoringly while I taught her everything I knew. Then — when she got big enough — we would join forces to overthrow my older brother, and the sisters would rule! Okay, fine. It was only a dream. But when I decided to add a new member to Junie B.'s family, I was surprised to learn that, unlike me, she wasn't happy about having a new baby around at all. But what if it wasn't an ordinary baby? What if it was — a baby monkey? Yes, of course! She'd love that. Come to think of it, I would have loved it, too. My brother wouldn't have stood a chance."
©1993 Barbara Park
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Pre-Reading Activities
In Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Junie B.'s new little brother is brought home from the hospital and joins the family. Find out from your class where they are in their family tree and discuss how they feel about being the oldest, youngest, only child.
 In
A Pickle
Junie B.'s confusion with figurative expressions like, "Cute
as a monkey" or "Curiosity killed the cat" often places her
"in a pickle". Using examples of such statements found in Junie
B.'s books, introduce students to the difference between literal
and figurative language and how use of the latter often serves
to make writing more "colorful." Then, ask students to contribute
additional expressions for class discussion from their own experiences.
Students may then have a "barrel of fun" interpreting selected
phrases literally in drawings accompanied by written descriptions
of their intended meanings.
As an additional follow-up, older students may
incorporate figurative expressions in creative writing assignments
of their own. No "couch potatoes" allowed!
 Printable
Activities
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