Barbara Park, American author of children’s books, was born April 21, 1947, at Mount Holly, N.J. Her dad was a merchant and her mother a secretary. She has an older brother, Brooke.
Barbara Park, American author of children’s books, was born April 21, 1947, at Mount Holly, N.J. Her dad was a merchant and her mother a secretary. She has an older brother, Brooke.
Barbara graduated High School in 1965 and the University of Alabama in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Her intentions were to teach high school history and political science.
She married Richard A. Park in 1969, they lived in Phoenix, Ariz. and had two sons, Steven and David.
Her first book, “Don’t Make Me Smile,” was published in 1981. She wrote several middle-grade novels and won seven Children’s Choice Awards and four Parents’ Choice Awards. Barbara is best known for her Junie B. Jones series of around 30 titles written for grade level first to third grades. This series has sold over 55 million copies in North America alone. The first book in this series was published in 1992 and translated into more than a dozen languages.
Barbara supported many causes including the Make-a-Wish Foundation and she would even dedicate books to children whose dying wish was to meet her.
Barbara suffered seven and a half years with ovarian cancer. She and her husband founded SIS (Sisters in Survival) a non-profit organization offering financial assistance to ovarian cancer patients. This all-volunteer organization gives all donations to ovarian cancer patients and her family will continue to run SIS.
When asked one day what she likes to do when not writing, her reply was “I like to eat frozen M&M’s.”
Barbara Park passed away November 15, 2013, in Scottsdale Ariz.
We have one of her (B-2) books “Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A word from your baby- in-waiting.” (JF) “Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine;” “Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket;” “Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal;” and several other Junie B. Jones books.
