Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School

July 13, 2009
It's the first day of school for Amelia Bedelia—the concrete-thinking heroine of the long-running series, which, until now, has featured the character as an adult. As in previous books, Amelia's literalism results in amusing misunderstandings: Amelia's “name tag” has her sprinting through the room “playing tag,” and during “free time,” she does as her teacher's idiom—“Glue yourself to your seat”—requests. Readers will giggle over Amelia's mishaps, and her genuine joie de vivre may assuage first-day fears. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2009
Gr 12-This picture book shows that even as a youngster Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally, including gluing herself to her seat. She is a challenge to her teacher, who is also having her first day of school. Young children will need explanations for some of her actions and for a number of the idioms. Avril's colorful gouache and pencil illustrations show a girl who seems almost always in motion, hopping on the bus, jumping rope, running like a cheetah, and tickling another student. Repeat readings of the story will enhance the humor for young listeners."Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades K-2 Ever wonder how the venerable Amelia Bedelia became such a literalist? So did the childrens author Herman Parish (nephew of Amelias originator, Peggy Parish) and the kids he met during school visits. This introduction to the young Amelia shows that her curious take on language is in evidence early on. Its the first day of school, and right off, Amelia gets it wrong when Mrs. OMalley says, I teach gym, and Amelia responds, I am not Jim. From there its one misunderstanding after another, ending with the teacher telling Amelia to glue herself to her chair. Oh dear. Amelia wears her new picture-book format well. Illustrator Avrils depiction of the language-challenged character resembles Ramona Quimby (the Alan Tiegreen version), and she uses the enlarged space to good advantage as Amelia proceeds from classroom to cafeteria to art class, all of which are pitted with verbal minefields. Sometimes the misconceptions are too sophisticated for the age group, but mostly this works beautifully as a new way to encounter the gaffe-prone gal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)