Barbara Park was a celebrated American author, best known for her children's book series featuring Junie B. Jones. She was born on April 21, 1947, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, and grew up in the Mount Holly Township. Her parents were Brooke and Doris Tidswell, and she had a brother. Between 1965 and 1967, she attended Rider College before graduating with a BS degree from the University of Alabama in 1969.
Park's writing career was marked by significant success, with over 40 awards to her name, including 25 Children's Choice awards. She is particularly remembered for her Junie B. Jones series, which comprises more than 25 books. In addition to this series, Park wrote many middle-grade novels, such as 'The Kid in the Red Jacket.' Her works were well-received, and she won seven Children's Choice Awards and four Parents' Choice Awards.
Park was married to Richard A. Park and resided in Phoenix, Arizona, for around 30 years, where they raised their two sons, David and Steven. She passed away in November 2013 at the age of 66 due to ovarian cancer. Despite her passing, Park's legacy lives on through her numerous published works, which continue to entertain and educate children.
Barbara Park's writing career was not a straightforward path. After receiving a degree in secondary education, she initially planned to teach high school history and political science. However, after a negative experience with student teaching in the seventh grade, she decided to pursue a career in writing instead. Park's first children's novel, 'Operation: Dump the Chump,' was rejected three times before being accepted by Alfred Knopf, Inc. This experience taught her the importance of perseverance and believing in oneself.
Park's writing style was unique and often humorous, which made her books popular among young readers. She wrote about sensitive topics in her middle-grade novels, such as loss and grief, which required a significant amount of time and effort to get them just right. However, she took pride in these works, and they were some of her most meaningful contributions to children's literature.
Park's most recent picture book, 'MA! There’s Nothing to Do Here!', was inspired by her experience attending her first grandson's ultrasound. The book explores the idea of a baby in utero who is bored and has nothing to do. Park's ability to find inspiration in everyday experiences and turn them into engaging stories was one of her greatest strengths as a writer.
Park's legacy as a writer continues to inspire aspiring authors and teachers. Her advice to writers is simple: write as much and as often as you can, try different genres to find your niche, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, and be your own worst critic. Park's ability to create engaging and relatable characters, such as Junie B. Jones, has made her a beloved figure in children's literature. Her works continue to entertain and educate young readers, and her legacy as a writer will endure for generations to come.