Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

“Almost six is when you get to go to kindergarten. Kindergarten is where you go to meet new friends and not watch TV.”

Junie B.’s statement about school indicates both her Human Desire for Independence and Control and The Anxiety Created by New Rules and Experiences. She likes to watch TV, as she mentions twice in the text that she won’t get to watch TV at school, and this highlights that her lack of choice in the matter slightly irritates her. Further, this statement demonstrates her understanding that there will be new rules to learn and that some of these rules might conflict with her preferences.

“Today was my first day of school. I’d been to my room before, though. Last week Mother took me there to meet my teacher. It was called Meet the Teacher Day.”

This experience demonstrates how practicing new things can mitigate the anxiety created by new rules and experiences. The existence of Meet the Teacher Day acknowledges the fear and worry that going to school often causes for young children, especially if it’s their first year at a new school. This shows that Junie B. is not averse to new experiences, but she needs to be introduced in a way that is more comfortable and less overwhelming.

“‘This is my bestest hat […] See the devil horns sticking out the sides?’ Mrs. laughed. Except I don’t know why. Devil horns are supposed to be scary.”

Junie B.’s choice to wear a “scary” hat to meet her teacher for the first time belies the anxiety that she feels. When she doesn’t feel in control, she sometimes resorts to growling or showing her fist to whoever is bothering her, as though making herself “scary” gives her more confidence.