Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine [Hardcover]

Herman Parish (Author), Lynne Avril (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about Valentine's Day.

• The sweet surprises
• Cards to give and receive
• A party at school
• A big, long family hug

Amelia Bedelia can't wait.
What could be better?
Valentine's Day!
Hooray for Valentine's Day!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Her ingenuous spirit will continue to capture hearts.” (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt, Peggy Parish, wrote the first book about Amelia Bedelia. Since then, the lovable housekeeper has become a favorite household character for readers young and old. After Peggy Parish died in 1988, her nephew continued Amelia Bedelia's exploits in sixteen books, including Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm; Amelia Bedelia and the Cat; Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey; and Amelia Bedelia Bakes Off. He has also written three picture books starring Amelia Bedelia—Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School, Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine, and Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (November 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061544582
• ISBN-13: 978-0061544583
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt, Peggy Parish, wrote the first book about Amelia Bedelia. The lovable, literal-minded housekeeper has been a member of his family ever since. Peggy Parish died in 1988. She would be proud and delighted to know that with Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia; Bravo, Amelia Bedelia!; Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor and now Calling Doctor Amelia Bedelia, her nephew is carrying on -- for a new generation of readers -- the tradition she began years ago.

In His Own Words... "In true Amelia Bedelia fashion, I backed into writing these books about the literal-minded housekeeper who children laugh at and love. Amelia Bedelia was created by my aunt, Peggy Parish. Although she passed away in 1988, Peggy still received fan mail from children. They wondered when the next Amelia Bedelia book would be out. Then other children's authors wrote and volunteered to continue the series. I felt uneasy about Amelia Bedelia leaving our family. As I was in the fourth grade when she first appeared, I had literally grown up with her. So I decided to try to write a new Amelia Bedelia adventure. My two sisters and my family were very supportive and encouraged me. I'd had experience in writing advertisements. I reread the Amelia Bedelia stories to figure out what made them funny. I realized that everyday life overflows with idiomatic expressions, literalisms, and homophones. It's amazing more people don't get confused-besides Amelia Bedelia! My first book, Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia, took me a year to think about and one night to write. I had been collecting ideas, homonyms, and expressions. Whenever I heard them, I jotted them down: on napkins in restaurants, on my newspaper while riding the bus, and on agenda sheets in business meetings.

I stockpiled these fragments in a folder until one Sunday night, with my family asleep, I decided that it was now or never. I sat down around ten o'clock and began to write. I was so focused on the story that I finished as the sun came up on Monday morning. Naturally, the story needed revision, but the essence was captured in that all-night writing spree.

I am fortunate that my editor, Susan Hirschman, and the illustrator, Lynn Sweat, had worked with Peggy on many Amelia Bedelia books. That helped make the transition from Peggy's books to mine as seamless as possible.

I feel very lucky to be writing Amelia Bedelia books and continuing a family tradition. But the best reward was when a child wrote Peggy Parish a fan letter. It said that Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia is the best book she has written. To me, that's the highest compliment I could hope for."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amelia Bedelia for a new generation, April 14, 2010

By 

K. Piper-Fangman (Yuma, Az) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine (Hardcover)

For starters we have a 2 year old "Amelia" of our own in this house, and we have been collecting Amelia Bedelia books for her since we chose her name. This past valentines we found this book and brought it home. We love it. The story is cute and a lot more relate-able than a maid in a uniform for kids. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Amelia Bedelia books, but making Amelia a little girl was a stroke of genius. Its a cute story, and I can't wait to add more as Herman Parish writes them.

5.0 out of 5 stars She's back!, December 9, 2011

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine (Hardcover)

Amelia Bedelia books have been classics for a long time. This new series of books show us what Amelia was like as a child. She is still taking things literally and it can be quite funny! In this installment she learns about valentines day and it's many customs. Fans of the original series will enjoy this set of books as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Really cute book!, July 15, 2011

By 

HollyVC - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine (Hardcover)

I grew up reading the original Amelia Bedeliam and while those books were great, I like the stories for the new generation. I think getting to know Amelia as a whimsical child is a refreshing approach to this classic character. My nephew (age 5) is now an Amelia fan after reading this book I sent for Valentine's Day. She reminds him of Junie B. Jones.