The Amelia Bedelia books never failed to elicit a giggle from my daughter. Written for beginning readers (listed as a level 2 in the I Can Read Book series), the books appeal to the love for silliness in young minds that are just beginning to sense how words can have several meanings.
That’s because Amelia Bedelia, in taking everything literally, always gets the meaning wrong.
Perhaps my favorite Amelia Bedelia book is Thank You, Amelia Bedelia. Amelia Bedelia with her permanently affixed hat and purse, is housekeeper to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. Although she knows very well how to cook and clean, she never seems to understand directions quite the way they are intended.
And when Mrs. Rogers’ great-aunt Myra suddenly decides to visit, all must be made perfect to suit this picky guest; the household is in a flurry of preparation. The guest room must be made ready; Mrs. Rogers’ dress needs a spot removed; flowers should be put out, dinner prepared, all the niceties that go into making a guest feel special.
But poor Amelia Bedelia! In trying to make a jellyroll, she takes jelly out of a jar and tries to roll it across the floor, leaving a sticky mess—to describe just one of her fantastic interpretations of the tasks she’s been given.
Fortunately all turns out well and great-aunt Myra is thoroughly happy with her visit, but not before Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are driven to distraction.
The delight in these books is that children get to see an adult making the same innocent mistakes that they do—and actually having more wisdom themselves than the books’ main character.
It doesn’t hurt that Amelia Bedelia never feels discouraged by her mistakes (or is even aware of them!). She is always ready to meet whatever challenge awaits her—and everyone else beware!
That’s because Amelia Bedelia, in taking everything literally, always gets the meaning wrong.
Perhaps my favorite Amelia Bedelia book is Thank You, Amelia Bedelia. Amelia Bedelia with her permanently affixed hat and purse, is housekeeper to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. Although she knows very well how to cook and clean, she never seems to understand directions quite the way they are intended.
And when Mrs. Rogers’ great-aunt Myra suddenly decides to visit, all must be made perfect to suit this picky guest; the household is in a flurry of preparation. The guest room must be made ready; Mrs. Rogers’ dress needs a spot removed; flowers should be put out, dinner prepared, all the niceties that go into making a guest feel special.
But poor Amelia Bedelia! In trying to make a jellyroll, she takes jelly out of a jar and tries to roll it across the floor, leaving a sticky mess—to describe just one of her fantastic interpretations of the tasks she’s been given.
Fortunately all turns out well and great-aunt Myra is thoroughly happy with her visit, but not before Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are driven to distraction.
The delight in these books is that children get to see an adult making the same innocent mistakes that they do—and actually having more wisdom themselves than the books’ main character.
It doesn’t hurt that Amelia Bedelia never feels discouraged by her mistakes (or is even aware of them!). She is always ready to meet whatever challenge awaits her—and everyone else beware!
