Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School

July 13, 2009
It's the first day of school for Amelia Bedelia—the concrete-thinking heroine of the long-running series, which, until now, has featured the character as an adult. As in previous books, Amelia's literalism results in amusing misunderstandings: Amelia's “name tag” has her sprinting through the room “playing tag,” and during “free time,” she does as her teacher's idiom—“Glue yourself to your seat”—requests. Readers will giggle over Amelia's mishaps, and her genuine joie de vivre may assuage first-day fears. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2009
Gr 12-This picture book shows that even as a youngster Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally, including gluing herself to her seat. She is a challenge to her teacher, who is also having her first day of school. Young children will need explanations for some of her actions and for a number of the idioms. Avril's colorful gouache and pencil illustrations show a girl who seems almost always in motion, hopping on the bus, jumping rope, running like a cheetah, and tickling another student. Repeat readings of the story will enhance the humor for young listeners."Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
Grades K-2 Ever wonder how the venerable Amelia Bedelia became such a literalist? So did the childrens author Herman Parish (nephew of Amelias originator, Peggy Parish) and the kids he met during school visits. This introduction to the young Amelia shows that her curious take on language is in evidence early on. Its the first day of school, and right off, Amelia gets it wrong when Mrs. OMalley says, I teach gym, and Amelia responds, I am not Jim. From there its one misunderstanding after another, ending with the teacher telling Amelia to glue herself to her chair. Oh dear. Amelia wears her new picture-book format well. Illustrator Avrils depiction of the language-challenged character resembles Ramona Quimby (the Alan Tiegreen version), and she uses the enlarged space to good advantage as Amelia proceeds from classroom to cafeteria to art class, all of which are pitted with verbal minefields. Sometimes the misconceptions are too sophisticated for the age group, but mostly this works beautifully as a new way to encounter the gaffe-prone gal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Readers are introduced to Amelia Bedelia as a child. Like the adult version, the youthful one takes everything literally. For instance, when her new teacher tells her to glue herself to her seat, Amelia Bedelia doesn't simply sit down, she follows the instructions exactly. The jokes are amusing (though a couple are somewhat forced). Cheerful illustrations reflect Amelia Bedelia's headlong enthusiasm.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2012
In School, young Amelia takes her teacher literally; for example, gluing herself to her seat. Trip follows the girl's antics while visiting a farm with her classmates. The jokes are amusing (though a couple are forced). Cheerful illustrations reflect Amelia Bedelia's headlong enthusiasm. This new edition of School is a paper-over-board version.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

August 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-Returning with her pun-filled humor and misunderstandings of certain expressions, Amelia Bedelia has her first day of school in this adventure. Her day is full of confusion-she thinks her teacher is playing tag when she tries to give her a nametag, and Amelia doesn't understand that she is supposed to say her name when roll is called. During craft time, Amelia's teacher tells her to glue herself to her seat, which she literally does. When Amelia is the only child left, Miss Edwards admits that it's her first day of school as well, which emphasizes the theme that it's okay to be nervous about new experiences. Children will laugh at Amelia Bedelia's antics, and in many cases, the illustrations enhance the text's humor. Not all of the jokes are explained, which gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to explain the sayings or children a chance to figure them out on their own. Young readers will relate to the emotions that Amelia feels, including enthusiasm for all of her activities and confusion about what she is supposed to be doing. The plot is cohesive, the characters are fully developed, and this book is comparable to other Amelia Bedelia titles by Herman Parish, but humor aside, it may not stand out in the broader field of children's literature. VERDICT Purchase where "Amelia Bedelia" books are popular or where additional back to school books are needed.-Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.