Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: questions to ask and activities to try
It's Junie B.'s first day of kindergarten, and she is not getting on that stupid smelly bus home. So she hides. A funny early chapter book about first-day nerves.
What age is Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus for?
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus is best for ages 5–8.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Starting school worries, with lots of laughs
Only 50pJunie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read a chapter at a time and enjoy Junie B.’s voice. Talk about what worried her, and what she could have done instead of hiding.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- It's Junie B.'s first day of kindergarten, and she is not getting on that stupid smelly bus home. So she hides. A funny early chapter book about first-day nerves.
- Helps with
- Starting school worries, with lots of laughs
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Starting school
- First-day nerves
- Asking for help
- Listening to longer stories
Comprehension and discussion questions for Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why didn’t Junie B. want to ride the bus?”
- “Where did she hide?”
- “What happened while she was hiding?”
- “Who helped her in the end?”
- “What worries you about something new?”
- “Who could you ask for help if you felt scared at school?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
All 6 questions for Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Worry and helper
Draw one thing that might feel worrying at school and one person who could help.
Bus practice
Set up chairs as a bus and act out getting on, finding a seat and saying hello.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about starting school.
A 20-minute session for ages 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read a chapter at a time and enjoy Junie B.’s voice. Talk about what worried her, and what she could have done instead of hiding.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why didn’t Junie B. want to ride the bus?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Worry and helper. Draw one thing that might feel worrying at school and one person who could help. Children who finish early can try Bus practice.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
The Colour Monster Goes to School (Anna Llenas)
- Best for
- Starting school, and feeling nervous about something new
- Age
- 3-6
Chrysanthemum (Kevin Henkes)
- Best for
- Teasing about names, and feeling proud of who you are
- Age
- 4-7
Judy Moody (Megan McDonald and Peter H. Reynolds)
- Best for
- A girl with lots of moods
- Age
- 7-9
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.