Barbara Park

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Barbara Park was best-known as the creator and author of the hilarious children's series Junie B. Jones – the stories of an outrageously funny kindergartener who has kept kids (and their grownups) laughing—and reading—for more than two decades. Junie's adventures have sold 55 million copies in North America alone, have been translated into multiple languages.

Before becoming a bestselling and beloved children’s author, Barbara originally intended to teach high school history and political science. She got her secondary education degree but quickly realised that her calling was to be a writer. She went on to write over fifty books and won more than forty children’s book awards.

Barbara was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on April 21, 1947, and spent most of her adult life in Arizona. There she, with her husband, Richard, raised her two sons and spent time with her two young grandsons. She died on November 15, 2013, after battling ovarian cancer for seven and a half years.

Author's Comment: There are those who believe that the value of a children’s book can be measured only in terms of the moral lessons it tries to impose or the perfect role models it offers. Personally, I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. In fact, I happen to think that’s huge.

Nationality: American