This YouTube storytime video, hosted by Isaac Letchford, presents a narrated reading of Chapter 9 (“Pigs and Ducks and Stuff”) from Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. The chapter unfolds in Junie’s classroom where the principal explains idiomatic expressions (e.g., “lucky duck,” “busy bee,” “couch potato”) through humorous misunderstandings, while Junie reacts with typical fourth‑grade sass. The narrative then shifts to Junie’s reunion with her mother after school, revealing her new baby brother—described metaphorically as a “little monkey.” The video mixes dialogue, character voices, and occasional YouTube calls to like and subscribe, aiming to entertain children while subtly teaching figurative language and family dynamics.
Welcome to Storytime with Isaac Letchford. This week we're reading from Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. If you enjoyed this video, please be sure to leave a like and subscribe.
Chapter 9, Pigs and Ducks and Stuff. Principal went to room 9 with me, then he clapped his giant hands together Boys and girls, may I please have your attention? he said. I would like to explain what happened during show and tell today. It's about Junie B. Jones and her new baby brother. Just then, that Jim I hate jumped right up out of his chair. He's not a monkey, is he? he shouted very loud. I knew it! I knew he wasn't a monkey! I made a big fist at him. How would you like this up your nose, you big dumb gym? I hollered. Then Principal frowned at me, and so I smiled. I hate that guy, I said nicely. After that, Principal took a big breath. Boys and girls, there's a good reason why Junie B told you that her baby brother Was a monkey, he said. Yeah, it was all my Grandma Mila's fault, I interrupted, because she told me that my brother was a little monkey. Only she didn't mean he was a real little monkey. She just meant he was cute. Only who the heck knew that dumb thing? The principal made another frown at me. Then he talked some more. You see, boys and girls, he said. Sometimes adults say things that can be very confusing to children. Like, what if you heard me talking about a lucky duck? You might think I was talking about a real, live duck. Lucky duck just means a lucky person. Right, said Mrs. And when we call someone a busy bee, we don't mean he's a real bee. We just mean he's a hard worker. Hey, I just thought of another one! I said, very excited. A dumb bunny doesn't— isn't a real live bunny either. It's just a plain dumb old dumb guy! Then my friend Lucille raised her hand. I got one too! she said. Sometimes when my Nana calls my Daddy a couch potato, only he's not a real potato. He's just a lazy bum. Yeah, and I'm not a big pig, said my new boyfriend Ricardo, but my mom says I eat like one. After that, a whole bunch of other kids said they eat like big pigs too. Only a boy named Donald said he eats like a horse, and crybaby William said he eats like a bird. Just then, it was time for the bell to ring, and so me and the principal said goodbye to each other, and I went to my seat. Then I gave Lucille back her red chair. She was very nice to me. I'm sorry your brother isn't a real monkey, Junie B. Thank you, Lucille. I'm sorry that your daddy isn't a real potato, too. After that, the bell rang for us to go home. Me and Lucille and that Grace held hands and we walked outside together. Only then a wonderful thing happened, and it's called I Heard My Mother's Voice. Junie B!
Junie B!
Over here, honey! Daddy and I are over here! Then I looked in the parking lot and I saw her. And so I run to her speedy quick, and then me and mother hugged and hugged because I hadn't seen her for a whole— a very whole day. Then my daddy got out of the car and he had a little yellow blanket in his arms, and guess what was in the thing? My new baby brother, that's what! He was only— he was very teeny and pinkish, except his head had a lot of black hair on it. I touched it. It felt very fuzzy. Then Ricardo walked by and he saw my teeny brother. Cool hair, he said. I smiled very big. I know, Ricardo, I said. And guess what else? He doesn't even smell like pee-yew! After that, I got in the car and I told Mother about Lucille's locket, and she said maybe I could get A locket too? And I could put my brother's teeny head in there? Yes! I said. And I would like— I would also like some peacock high tops, please, I said very polite. Maybe, said Mother.
Oh boy!
I said. 'Cause maybe doesn't mean no. It— that's why. And so then I lifted up the blanket and I peeped at my baby brother one more time. So, what do you think of him, Junie B? said Mother. I smiled very big. I think he's the cutest little monkey I ever saw, I said. Then Mother laughed, and I laughed too. The end of Junie B. Jones, Book 2: And a Little Monkey Business.
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