Adventures of Amelia Bedelia

by Peggy Parish, Fritz Siebel (Illustrator), Wallace Tripp (Illustrator)

For over thirty years, young readers have been enjoying the antics of this very literal-minded but charming housekeeper. The Rogers family loves Amelia, but she causes enough confusion to keep the family running from one hilarious disaster to another. Here are three favorite Amelia Bedelia books together in one volume for hours of laughs.

Meet the zany housekeeper in Amelia Bedelia. You'll be surprised to find out what "dust the furniture" and "dress a chicken" really mean!

In Come Back, Amelia Bedelia, Amelia tries to find a new job after Mr. Rogers fires her. All's well that ends well, but the local beauty shop, dress shop, and doctor's office will never be the same again.

When the Grizzlies baseball team is in trouble, it's Amelia to the rescue in Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia. But before she can help, Amelia has to learn that "tag a runner" doesn't mean putting a price tag on one of the players.

New and old fans of Amelia Bedelia will love this hilarious collection of stories, and will want to read them again and again.

Peggy Parish first introduced Amelia Bedelia more than thirty years ago, and today beginning readers are still clamoring for the stories about her silly and delightful antics.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Classics, Humor, Realistic Fiction, 1st Grade

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Peggy Parish was the author of the children's story series Amelia Bedelia. The series was continued, after her sudden death from an aneurysm, by her nephew Herman Parish. Peggy attended the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Herman honored Peggy's life in his book, Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia, by writing in its dedication: "For Peggy Parish, the real Amelia Bedelia."

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Olivia Marbut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the "Amelia Bedelia" books! They're so funny and always make me laugh. Amelia is such a silly character who takes everything literally, which leads to all sorts of hilarious misunderstandings. I remember reading "Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping" and giggling at how she literally "pitched a tent" and "caught fish in her hands." It's just so silly! What I like most about these books is that they're easy to read and understand, but they still have interesting plots and characters. Even though Amelia messes up a lot, she always finds a way to make things right in the end, and I think that's an important lesson for kids to learn. Overall, I think the "Amelia Bedelia" series is perfect for young readers who enjoy funny stories and quirky characters. I can't wait to read more of her adventures!

[Sassyjkb Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. Amelia Bedelia was my favorite character growing up and I enjoyed sharing my favorite with a student. Amelia always makes me laugh!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comments from reviews below that I found particularly relevant about the value of Amelia Bedelia, especially for young children, but to remind adults, too:

Dianna wrote: “I love Amelia Bedelia!!! She's a hoot with her literal-mindedness. ‘Draw the Drapes, dress the chicken, dust the furniture...’”

Theresa wrote: “…this is a great silly series to show children that mistakes and mix ups are possible if not probable, and that innocence may be more of the reason than meaning to do something wrong.” [...intentionally doing...]

Brittany wrote: “…just when she is at the brink of losing her job, she is saved only by her delicious baked goods.”

Antoinette wrote: “I loved these books as a kid. An adult that took everything literally, and messed things up all the time but somehow got away with it.”

Doe wrote: “Amelia Bedelia was the first book, in my memory, that made me laugh. Still have my worn out original.”

Gretchen wrote: “I can't remember when I read my first Amelia but I was hooked--I love to watch children as they come to see how words can be misused or misunderstood--these are great for teaching about humor.”

I was surprised to realize my son knew these stories when I told him that Amelia Bedelia was one of the gifts I had received at the so lovely, so surprising “Nana shower of books” my friends gave. It was not in our collection, so he must have encountered it elsewhere. I enjoyed reading it, perhaps more than I would have in my more “serious” days. Today I realize how all the lessons outlined by the reviewers I quote are important to teach a child – early! Humor, tolerance for mistakes, dangers of being too literal in interpretations of words, ability for over-compensation to save the day, … We look forward to sharing it with the newest member of our family!

The Harper Collins edition (the one I received) has three stories, each 64 pages in length. It has ISBN 978-0-7607-7103-7. Three stories, "Amelia Bedlia," © 1963; "Come Back," © 1971; "Play Ball," © 1972. The illustrators are Fritz Siebel and Wallace Tripp.

[Sherria Parchman-Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a realistic fictional contemporary story for primary level 2-3. This amusing story is of idioms when Amelia Bedelia miss interprets and mix up literal instruction provided by Mrs. Rogers. I have read this book to my 3rd grade students and they thought she was just a crazy maid, but overall they really enjoyed the book. It depicts how miscommunication followed by several mistakes, can be possible, yet it can be so innocent to do.

[Nisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac loves these books. They make him laugh. For that, I give them five stars alone, but they are very cute and helpful for kids learning to read as well. They are just the right fit for an early reader.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains three books: Amelia Bedelia, Come back, Amelia Bedelia, and Play ball, Amelia Bedelia.
Bought at Goodwill.

[SteFF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is loads of fun!

[Amy]

Finished with a student

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book

[Crystal Haynie]

Great

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in the world.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad to be discovering these great characters in children literature. Amelia Bedelia is surely one of them. There are three stories in this one book. "Amelia Bedelia," "Come Back, Amelia Bedelia" and "Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia." They are all so cute and I love how she takes everything literally. She might fail in daily chores but she sure is a good baker. Would love to collect more of these darling stories.

[Maryanna Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Added a good sense of humor and is very hilarious. There are so many play on words in this book, it keeps you entertained even as an adult. Although the illustration were not top notch, they gave you just enough to give you a clear idea of what is going on and what crazy shenanigans Amelia is getting into. I think this book will keep kids entertained and asking to read it or have someone read it to them over and over.

[osoordinary · Rating 5 out of 5]

June 9- Aubrey read all three stories. Her ratings are as follows:
Amelia Bedelia- FIVE STARS
Come Back, Amelia Bedelia- FIVE STARS
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia- FIVE STARS
She says, "I loved that they were all funny and that Amelia Bedelia always did the opposite of what she was asked. And they all had Amelia Bedelia listening in a different way."

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these books when I was a child, and still have memories of the stupid tales that make me smile. These books are great if you have a child in the family--even more so if you are a child at heart.

[Nadiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a warm hearted and yet very smart in making pie.. Amelia Bedelia is one of my favorite series since I was 7! She funny, innocent and full of surprises. Read this book to your kids and I'm sure they'll remember it forever..

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a hilarious story of miss understandings
a great series of mixed up directions and literal meanings, this is a great silly series to show children that mistakes and mix ups are possible if not probable, and that innocence may be more of the reason then meaning to do something wrong/

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I remember liking Amelia Bedelia when I was a kid - and I still enjoy her now. The plays on words are clever, with illustrations to match, although they are a bit dated now.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE. She kind of reminds me of me in this story, which kind of reminds me of my mom haha

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is a great character! Kids will get a kick out of the things she does.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our favorite maid and pun on words!

[Julie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amelia Bedelia. She was so funny and likable.

And I seem to remember that she made some awesome sweets...

[Alicia Abrego · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very fun and silly adventure going through Amelia's creative mind.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is really funny because she makes a lot of mistakes. I love it when Amelia plays baseball and she thinks that "steal first base" means she gets to take it.

[Riegs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is a good title to use when teaching parts of language, especially idioms and literal vs. figurative.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This childhood book was something we read from school, and I remember thinking it was very funny.

[Habib · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book it is just amazing .

[Anne Richard]

it was fun reading that book

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humor - a housekeeper who takes everything literally - probably goes over the head of many toddlers. My two-year-old surprised me by getting some of the jokes, but only some.