Review: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel

Adapted by Colleen A.F. Venable

Illustrated by Honie Beam

New York: Random House, 2025. Comics. 150 pages.

This classic beginning chapter book has a fresh new look and a brand new graphic novel adaptation. Like always, Junie B. Jones is a spunky, curious, brand-new kindergartener excited to start school for the first time. Junie B. has no trouble knowing what she likes – and she knows she does NOT like the school bus. It is smelly and noisy and she doesn’t have anyone to sit by. So, at the end of the school day, when it is time to go home, Junie B. simply doesn’t — opting instead to hide out in the school.

This book is the latest in a long string of classic 80s and 90s kids stories adapted into graphic novels for young readers. This book in particular has bright, cartoony illustrations and a natural pairing of words and text that are just right for emergent readers. Apart from slight technology updates, this book rings pretty true to the original story – a book series I grew up reading and loving. For a new generation of readers, Junie B. Jones is back!