Barbara Park quotes:

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.

My senior year of high school, I was voted 'Wittiest.' So, several years later, I decided to try my hand at writing humor to see if I could be witty enough to make some money.

My senior year of high school, I was voted Wittiest. So, several years later, I decided to try my hand at writing humor to see if I could be witty enough to make some money.

My own pregnancies were all about me, me, me. My aches, my pains, my swollen feet, and my body that looked like the Michelin Man.

Ever since I began writing my Junie B. Jones series, people have been assuming that the character is based on me when I was a little girl. The fact is, though, that Junie B. and I have very little in common.

I find that when I'm struggling to think of how a six-year-old would feel about something, I just have to go right down to the common denominator, find the simplest way that you can look at an object or a problem, and not muck it up with all of the stuff that adults do and over-analyze.

I'm so lazy as far as liking to get up, go to the office in my pajamas, get dressed about noon. And I hate flying. So I have this really laid-back, good lifestyle, and it's hard to nudge me out of it.

Society just has a way of inhibiting you, which is good and bad.

I don't even like clowns. Clowns are not normal people.

I find the term 'perfect child' to be an oxymoron.

I wasn't that over-the-top, but I got sent to the principal in first grade for talking. And my father was for a long time the president of the Board of Education. That was always a hard note to bring home.

I'm not actually sure I'm grown-up enough for grown-up books.

Junie B. Jones. The B stands for Beatrice. Except, I don't like Beatrice. I just like B and that's all.

I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. It's perfectly okay to take a book, read it, have a good time, giggle and laugh - and turn off the TV. I love that.

I find the term perfect child to be an oxymoron.

Sometimes grown ups don't act their right old age

Moving makes you feel all alone inside.

A stick or a stone only stings for a minute. A name seems to hurt forever.

I like to think that Junie B. looks at the world - and this isn't a negative comment on her - from the lowest common denominator. It's not all gray to her; it's all black and white.

I was a good kid, but I was just very chatty. Teachers were rarely entertained, but occasionally a child was, which was enough for me. Everything was so urgent. I needed to say it immediately.

That Grace looked annoyed at me."I didn't say you would go to jail, Junie B.," she said. "I just wish you would say the word correctly, that's all.

There are many reluctant young readers who haven't yet found books that make them laugh.

A little glitter can turn your whole day around.

I don't really believe in pretending to be happy when you're not. Mostly I believe that you should burden your friends with your problems.

Even though sometimes you can control your anger, you can't control your sadness.

And sometimes when you're very mixed-up inside, you do things you know you shouldn't do.

Can't we be friends?' I hate your guts, Frankovitch' Can't our guts be friends?

I'm not actually sure I'm grown-up enough for grown-up books,

The upside to grief is it takes away your appetite. When people say you look good they really mean it. Nature's thoughtful that way.

Our nannas are losers.