Amelia Bedelia Collection (I Can Read Book 2) [Paperback]

Peggy Parish (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Everyone's favorite literal-minded housekeeper, Amelia Bedelia, celebrates her 40th Anniversary in a three-book I Can Read box set.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peggy Parish wrote many popular books for children, several featuring her most famous character, Amelia Bedelia, who first appeared in 1963. Peggy Parish died in November 1988.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (July 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060542381
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542382
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The late Peggy Parish, well known for her stories about Amelia Bedelia, wrote many popular books for children, including Dinosaur Time, illustrated by Arnold Lobel.

"I hate reading but your books are changing my opinion." This letter, from a young Peggy Parish fan, comes as no surprise to the teachers and librarians who have put her books in the hands of children over the years. Ms. Parish wrote nearly three dozen children's books-many of which include her most famous character, the literal-minded maid named Amelia Bedelia.

Peggy Parish knew what children like to read. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English, she taught school in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and, for over 15 years, at the well-known, progressive Dalton School in New York City. It was at Dalton that she began to find ways to release her creative ideas and energy, Though she never took a writing course, "writing stories for children came naturally." Her first book, published in 1961, was followed with Let's Be Indians and in 1963 with her unforgettable Amelia Bedelia.

Always involved with education in some way, Peggy Parish did television pieces on preschool education and children's books, wrote children's book review columns, and led numerous in-service training workshops for teachers. In discussing her ideas about education, she said, "Children's rights are taken away from them when they enter school. What I try to show teachers is that all the skills needed to read can be taught outside of textbooks. Today's children are not going to read what they are not interested in. And if a positive attitude toward reading is not developed during the first three years of school, it is virtually impossible to develop it later."

After living in New York for many years, Peggy Parish returned to her native South Carolina. She died in November, 1988. But Ameila Bedelia did not die. Peggy Parish's nephew, Herman Parish, has written Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia and Bravo, Amelia Bedelia!, published by Greenwillow Books in 1995 and 1997 respectively.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Won't Be Disappointed, January 15, 2005

By 

Naomi DeBruyn "faecanuck" (Victoria, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia Collection (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)

Amelia Bedelia, the extremely literal housekeeper who is adored by children all over the world turns 40 this year. Created in 1963 by Peggy Parish, Amelia Bedelia has amused and entertained children of all ages ever since. Amelia is a very literal housekeeper, and if not for her exceptional skill in the kitchen baking goodies, it is hard to think that she would be employed at all! Her literalness is the root of many adventures and the cause of great hi-jinx and amusement.

To celebrate this anniversary, HarperTrophy, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has put together a boxed collection of three of the most popular Amelia Bedelia titles. This confused housekeeper is one of the best loved literary children's characters of all time, and with such high sales and great human appeal, she might just be the most popular..

This set begins with the very first Amelia Bedelia book ever written, Amelia Bedelia. The illustrator for this title was Fritz Siebel, and he did an incredible job with it! Peggy introduces her amusing housekeeper to the world as Amelia begins a new job, housekeeper for the Rogers'. A list of chores is taken quite literally by Amelia, and we accompany her while she goes about her day - putting out the lights, dusting the furniture, drawing the curtains when the sun shines through the windows, and making a special treat for her new employers: a luscious lemon meringue pie.

Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia, has the housekeeper helping out some of the local kids when their team comes up short for the baseball game. Amelia is so kind-hearted that even though she knows nothing at all about the game, she offers to help the team and play with them. Baseball will never be the same again! Providing the illustrations for this title is Wallace Tripp, and his eye for detail and use of vibrant colours brings the ball field to life.

Third and final in the set is one that had me laughing so hard it hurt - Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower. Mrs. Rogers and her lady's sewing circle are giving one of their members a surprise wedding shower, and Amelia Bedelia's literal mindedness turns the rather sedately planned event into a complete and utter laugh-fest. The fun doubles when Amelia's cousin, Alcolu, lends a hand. Barbara Siebel Thomas provides the artwork for this title, and the event is captured beautifully!

This set is also a part of the I Can Read Book titles, and falls into the 2nd level (reading with help). Share this delightful collection with a young one in your life, and open up the world of literary humour for them. Share the fun that Amelia Bedelia brings along with her, you won't be disappointed!

Reveiw Originally Posted at LinearReflections.com

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Word For Word!, February 11, 2007

By 

A. Pyscher "Doll" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia Collection (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)

The Amelia Bedelia 40th Anniversary Collection is a perfect introduction to the one and only Amelia Bedelia. She is a wonderful source of amusement to my children (and me) when her literal interpretations of words causes happy chaos to the world around her. The stories and illustrations are a perfect match. All the Amelia Bedelia books are a joy to read!

Merry mayhem begins in the first story that introduces Amelia as she begins work as the housekeeper for the unsuspecting Mr. and Mrs. Rogers! Amelia proves, thanks to her delicious lemon meringue pie, it is indeed true, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!

Our son found the 'Play Ball' baseball story hilarious! Once again Amelia interprets the rules of the game in her own unique convoluted way. On the field and off there is no one like her.

The third story, was our daughter's favorite. It has Amelia helping Mrs. Rogers with a Surprise Bridal Shower that turns out like no other! The results of which are guaranteed to make you laugh! Enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic children's book, May 31, 2007

By 

H - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia Collection (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)

Amelia Bedelia is the cute story of a clumsy maid that forgets, and doesn't know the meaning of our everyday sayings like draw the drapes. It will make children laugh, even adults. It's a cute story of a silly lady that makes you want to keep reading, and makes you love Amelia!