Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey

by Herman Parish, Lynn Sweat (Illustrator)

When Amelia Bedelia is put in charge of the school Thanksgiving pageant, things are bound to get a little mixed up. After all, she thinks roles are a type of bread, the dressing room is where the turkey's stuffing goes, and that a cast party happens after you've followed a well-wisher's command to "break a leg!" Will Amelia Bedelia bring the house down . . . literally?

Let's all give thanks for another hilarious Amelia Bedelia episode!

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Humor, Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 2008

About the author

Herman Parish (born 1953) is the author of Amelia Bedelia children's book series, nephew of original author, Peggy Parish. Having grown up with his aunt’s tales of Amelia’s humorous misadventures, Herman decided to carry on the legacy after his aunt’s death in 1988. He did not wish to entrust the future of the series into the hands of a children’s author outside of the family. Since Peggy had the summers off from teaching, she was able to stay with the Parish family for extended periods of time, allowing Herman and Peggy to develop a close relationship. More importantly, this gave Herman a chance to keenly observe Peggy during her writing processes, gaining great insight to the road ahead of him. To carry on the essence of the series, Herman thoroughly examined his aunt’s work and did his best to capture what exactly made the character of Amelia Bedelia such a hit. Having editor Susan Hirschman and illustrator Lynn Sweat in common with his aunt helped to make the transition. He has added thirteen more books to the series. Herman is a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and travels to libraries and schools across the United States, speaking and inspiring young children. The importance of revising and editing is often stressed during these dynamic lectures. He has presented to students in more than 22 states.

-Wikipedia

***The photo at left is of Herman with his aunt, Peggy Parish, in 1985.

Reviews

[Johnboy Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a sweet read for the holiday season.
How can you not laugh and feel whole hearted with Amelia Bedelia? I know my mom enjoys these books. Never gets tired of Amelia bedelia series

[Lonicocopuffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has to be my favorite, she was barely unhinged. Of course she still had her quirks but she was on the same wavelength as everyone else, more or less

[Everett Earles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is a funny lady, but this brought up some trauma for me. Last thanksgiving, the only thing my parents would give me was milk! Here’s hoping I get a taste of some turkey this year.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey

Author: Herman Parish

Illustrator: Lynn Sweat

Genre: Transitional chapter book

Theme(s): thanksgiving

Opening line/sentence: “It was a cool, crisp morning in November.”

Brief Book Summary: Amelia Bedelia has a school Thanksgiving pageant to put on. However, she mixes up the meanings of words and lots of silly things start happening! This hilarious transitional chapter book highlights that it’s okay to find the humor in our mistakes.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:

CLCD (Angela Gossler)

(http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...)

Amelia’s crazy mixed up adventures are classic favorites of children. They love to hear the many ways she confuses the directions that are given. This book, written by the nephew of the original Peggy Parish, is no different than the many before. Amelia Bedelia is the director of the third grade Thanksgiving pageant and comes across a few obstacles along the way. One of my favorites is the student who asks to play a big role in the play and Amelia makes the girl a big roll costume! This book had my students laughing all the way through!

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:

CLCD (Marita Richards)

(http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...)

Amelia Bedelia and Cousin Alcolu just happen to be delivering a pumpkin to the local school for their Thanksgiving pageant when Amelia learns all the teachers are sick and they might have to cancel the pageant. Amelia Bedelia volunteers to help out. The students seem to be amused by Amelia but accept her and her new ideas for the pageant. Despite a few mishaps, the pageant is a success with all the kids learning teamwork and cooperation. Amelia learns a lot about turkey--stuffing versus dressing--and sweet potatoes. Amelia still remains a little confused about a cast party and carving a turkey, but all ends well in this new addition to Thanksgiving holiday picture books.

Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews make note of the humor that can be found in Amelia’s mix-ups and mistakes. The second review gave more of a summary of the overall story, while the first review included more personal opinions. I agree with both reviews in that Amelia Bedelia books are classic, humorous books for children to enjoy.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book has lots of conversation, and makes use of quotation marks. There are minimal words on each page, making it a great transitional book between picture books and chapter books. There are detailed illustrations on each page as well, which help young readers comprehend the story. The simple plot about Amelia taking on a project she is not-so familiar with, makes it humorous, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable for readers.

Consideration of Instructional Application: This would be perfect for a lesson on homophones because Amelia tends to mix up the meanings of different words. Bringing in examples of the homophones (props) could be a fun way to help students comprehend. This would also be great to read around Thanksgiving time to teach students about the different elements/values that go along with this holiday.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoy an Amelia Bedelia book!!

This one is reading level two. It's got a straightforward plot and engaging storytelling. It was slightly confusing at the beginning in terms of who was saying what, but I think it was just the way the text was formatted.

This book follows Amelia Bedelia as she helps with a Thanksgiving play at the school. There was talk of turkeys and pumpkins.

Peggy Parish created this series. This book was written by Herman Parish, Peggy Parish's nephew. There did seem to be a difference in either the writing style or tone. It was humorous, but it did seem a bit lighter on the humour. It didn't feel as cheeky as the original. Amelia's character also seemed a bit different.

I am not a big fan of the illustrations in this book, which was done by Lynn Sweat. The Amelia Bedelia books have undergone many changes throughout the series, particularly with the illustration style. I definitely prefer the original artwork by Fritz Siebel. 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Enjoyable read!! Definitely recommend the Amelia books.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia, the famous confused maid, lends a hand at school when the third grade Thanksgiving pageant is about to be canceled because all of the teachers are out sick. But there’s all sorts of mixups because Amelia misunderstands phrases like “dressing room” and “break a leg”. Amelia Bedelia books are usually popular with middle grade elementary kids, and so this would be a good one to include in a seasonal classroom collection.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to go back into my childhood! I always loved Amelia Bedelia. Unfortunately she’s been updated for the current generation. However, the Amelia Bedelia I’ll always remember wore a black and white striped maid outfit with crazy fun ideas.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is put in charge of the 3rd graders’ Thanksgiving play with zany results.

While the story ends with the celebration of Thanksgiving as embodying the spirit of gratitude, the children’s play is about the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the teachers in charge of the school's Thanksgiving play, Amelia Bedelia steps in to lend a helping hand. With her uniquely Amelia Bedelia modifications to the play, the students, parents, and teachers alike still get to enjoy the play.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my family for Thanksgiving. Lots of cute kid-sized jokes. Fun read for the whole family.

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept my students attention even in the season of Spring.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/23/22 Read with Julia

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't much Amelia Bedelia can't do

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedilia is always a funny read, and this time, for the Thanksgiving Play, she helps the students put everything together. Things go wrong, are misunderstood, and are learned throughout the rehearsals. There is more humor than learning in the book, although there are many mentions of Thanksgiving traditions, history tidbits, and fun facts about the American holiday.

[Angela Ferrari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how she turns everything into a sit com. She thinks the principal is and actor,playing the principal. If someone has the flu she wants to know where they flew,,its funny and easy for kids to keep up with at an early reading level. Great recipes too.
Theme- humor, good reading practice, literal, multiple meaning words.

[Matthew S. Zielinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a long non-chapter books for a young elementary school child to read, but they can do it. We stop to laugh about the silly situations or misunderstandings that Amelia has.

Proud of my 2nd grader. Completely unprovoked, he said “Native American” for every time he saw the word “Indian”. When I asked who taught him that or if he does this at school, he stated that he just did it on his own.

[carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st - 2nd, reading alone, beginning chapters

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very long for an Amelia Bedelia book.

[Christie Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another halarious Ameila Bedelia story about her helping out with the school Thanksgiving play. This book would be great to read aroung the time of Thanksgiving!

[Wisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is the bomb!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main characters were Amelia and the children.

It was pretty funny when they were doing the play about Thanksgiving. The whole audience and the children were saying "gobble gobble".

[Alexandria K · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Amelia Bedelia helps with the Thanksgiving school play and it is a success!

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think we can all do without one more book with stereotypical Indians and the myth of the first thanksgiving...

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic Amelia Bedelia! Funny (with a new take on a classic rhyme) and great themes of thankfulness.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 typical Amelia bedelia--nice to have something a little different than the typical thanksgiving story.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one isn't as well done as some of the other Amelia Bedelia books, in my opinion. It's just sort of there. It's about Amelia helping some students put on a Thanksgiving pageant.

[Nicole Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always ready for a good laugh when I read, and she never disappoints!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grades K-2 Book Club, November 2013.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly read-aloud for Turkey Day week....Amelia Bedelia can always get a few laughs...