Junie B. Jones, famed from a series of more than two dozen children’s books, makes the jump from page to stage “Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!,” the rambunctious holiday offering from Theatre of Youth.

Junie B. has, at the tender age of 6 or 7, managed to become a controversial character in some real-world parent-teacher circles because sometimes in her stories …. many times … she … well, she misbehaves.

Brimming with more confidence than correctness, Junie B. talks back to teachers and argues with her classmates. Her grammar is iffy and, as for etiquette, forget it! 

But even with qualities that grownups consider to be faults, Junie B. has one big fat thing going for her. This is a girl who is absolutely, positively, indisputably the STAR of her own life. A big part of her appeal for young readers is her willingness to dive headfirst into any situation, right or wrong, up or down.

 Another reason to like her is her unfailing ability to learn from her mistakes. She does exactly that in this show. 

When “Jingle Bells, Batmen Smells!” opens, Junie B. is already being careful. “Santa watches me like a hawk this time of year!” she tells the audience. 

Santa or not, you can’t keep a curious kid down. Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci (familiar as host of “Let’s Go!” on WNED-TV) plays Junie B. with suitable vim plus healthy vigor. Anika Pace, as Junie’s classroom nemesis and good-girl May, gives her lonely first grader so much heart that our own hearts hurt when May’s branded a tattletale. 

TOY regular Roderick Garr adds clear-eyed gravitas as the teacher Mr. Scary, who is not scary at all while presiding over his varied and unique class: Maria Ta is all ruffles and twirls as spoiled rich girl Lucille; Scott Borish is Junie’s best friend, Herb; Kristen-Marie Lopez gives us a confident bilingual Jose; and Arron Gabriel Saldana is Sheldon, the only Jewish kid in the holiday show.

The story takes a detour into another Junie B. book with a memory scene of a disastrous (for Junie B.) Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day pageant before the climactic Secret Santa classroom gift exchange. 

All the action plays out on a lovely seasonal set designed by Andrew Machovec, with snowflake lighting by Chris Cavanagh. Director Annette Daniels Taylor said she drew from her own children’s Junie B. memories, and her affection for the material comes through.

The play is inspired by Barbara Park’s books for young readers but could be appreciated by children as old as middle schoolers. (Being long past middle school, I admit that some of the characters’ ongoing back-and-forth bickering had me wanting to put my foot down, as it were; however, the full auditorium of elementary students around me seemed to enjoy it.)

The show lasts nearly an hour and a half with no intermission, so it could be a test for the naturally fidgety. To help, TOY provide its usual creatively educational program, which includes matching games, questions about the show, a word search and more activities in the back pages. 

“Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!” continues Dec. 14 and 15 with performances at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day in the Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St. Tickets are $20 to $30 at theatreofyouth.org.

On Dec. 15, TOY also will host a “Junie B.’s Holiday Club” workshop for children in grades K-5. Participants will create a special holiday number for friends and family to perform on the Junie B. Jones stage, plus meet the cast and get to take photos on the decorated stage. Cost is $51, which includes fees and admission to the 2 p.m. play. Adults should purchase their show tickets separately. Contact admin@theatreofyouth.org for seating arrangements.