KidCrunch

Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park follow the adventures of fun-loving Junie B. Jones through a full year of kindergarten, from her first day to her graduation.  The series includes the following books:

1. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
2. Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
3. Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth
4. Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying
5. Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
6. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday
7. Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren
8. Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed
9. Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
10. Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal
11. Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
12. Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
13. Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl
14. Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime
15. Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket
16. Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day
17. Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

The adventures continue in Barbara Parks’ subsequent series Junie B., First Grader.

I started reading Junie B. Jones books to my daughter when she entered kindergarten and soon became a big fan.  The books are written in such a way that the reader–even an adult reader–is anxious to find out what happens in the next chapter.  This makes the transition to chapter books an easy and natural one.

Also, when we read Junie B. Jones books together, my daughter constantly interrupts our reading to tell me about something similar in her school experience.  That’s what I love most about them and why I recommend them highly.

Shop for Junie B. Jones books at the KidCrunch Store.

My kids love sports and love to watch movies about sports.  As a parent, I love sports movies that are both entertaining and inspirational.  Following is our list of ten great sports movies for kids:

1. Rookie of the Year (PG)  12 year old boy breaks arm and becomes ace pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
2. Air Bud (PG)  Disney favorite about hoops-playing Golden Retriever.
3. The Mighty Ducks (PG)  Emilio Estevez stars as coach of a pee wee hockey team.
4. The Sandlot (PG)  Funny film about local pals playing sandlot baseball in 1960s.
5. The Karate Kid (PG)  New kid in town learns karate and life lessons from mentor Miyagi.
6. The Rookie (G)  Inspirational true story starring Dennis Quaid as a teacher/coach who makes it to the big leagues.
7. A League of Their Own* (PG)  Star-filled movie about an all-girl professional baseball team in 1943.
8. Rudy* (PG)  Rudy chases his impossible dream to play football for Notre Dame.
9. Hoosiers* (PG)  Classic sports movie about Indiana high school basketball starring Gene Hackman.
10. Remember the Titans* (PG)  Denzel Washington stars as a high school football coach guiding his team through racial tension in 1971.

* Suitable for older kids.

Shop for these and other great sports movies at the KidCrunch Store.

Join the discussion.  Post some comments about your favorite sports movies.