Check out everyone's favorite-minded housekeeper, Amelia Bedelia. Nothing makes Amelia Bedelia happier than helping people and doing exactly as she's told. And what could be more satisfying than a day spent volunteering at the library? But Mrs. Page, the librarian, is surprised when Amelia Bedelia steals away in the bookmobile for a bookstore visit. Can Amelia Bedelia explain that she was just trying to go by the book? Or will she have the book thrown at her for this latest misunderstanding?
For nearly half a century, readers have loved watching the lovable and well-meaning housekeeper comically take instructions and sayings far too literally. Amelia Bedelia is up to her usual silly misinterpretations in this library-based story that children will love for its familiar setting and hilarious predicaments. Due to its length and somewhat veiled jokes, this book is best suited for kids ages five and up, although younger children may appreciate some of the humor as well. The illustrations help make some of the jokes more clear and add a fun visual element to the story.
In this story, kids will learn the valuable lesson that not everything can be taken literally. For example, when the librarian told Amelia Bedelia that the books needed jackets, she went home and made coats and sweaters for the books. Kids will get a laugh out of the silly illustrations of books in buttoned-up outerwear. Explain to your children what the actual meaning is of other common phrases such as, "by the book" or "quiet enough to hear a pin drop."
I remember reading the Amelia Bedelia stories when I was in early elementary school and I'm glad to see that today's children are still getting a laugh out of them. When I read the book to Emily, the three-year-old I babysit, I could tell that some of the jokes were still over her head but she still enjoyed elements of the story. She laughed at the books wearing real jackets and loved the masks that the children make at the library. In a few years, she'll hopefully be able to understand more of the intricacies of the jokes but it's nice to see that she appreciates the story even now.
--Abby
We had SO much fun reading Amelia Bedelia together for the first time, and since it's in the Little One Books 5 year old category, Makenna, my daughter, also had a blast reading it to me too! After this, I know their love for Amelia Bedelia books will only grow, as mine did as a child!
--Marcie Wahrer, Simply MARvelous