Parents' Guide to

Amelia Bedelia

By Jennifer Gennari, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Literal-minded housekeeper in fun easy reader.

Book Peggy Parish For Beginning Readers 1969
Amelia Bedelia Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 3 parent reviews

D H.
D H. Parent
February 20, 2022
age 4+

Gets big laughs from 4 year old

Amelia’s antics get lots of laughs from my four year old. She may not get all the jokes but something about Amelia and her blunders tickles he funny bone. The stories end with the other characters showing appreciation for Amelia
meeohmyoh
meeohmyoh Adult
August 22, 2010
age 5+
I think Amelia Bedelia books are fun! :) I loved them growing up and my kids are loving them too. I chose 5 and up because younger kids don't always get all the funny parts, but my 5 yr old does and thinks they are funny.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When, on her first day as the Rogers's maid, Amelia Bedelia follows directions to dust the furniture, she applies a coat of dusting powder to it, and by the time she "draws" the drapes, children will giggle over her silly mistakes. This classic about the housekeeper who follows her chore list literally features cartoonlike illustrations that are simple and charming.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Children never fail to laugh over Amelia's blunders, making her a perennial early-reader favorite, and the book's artwork is delightful. Parents may weary of the Amelia Bedelia series, especially as many of the gender roles are stereotyped and the vocabulary and setting are outdated. But children return to Amelia Bedelia again and again because she makes them feel smart: They can read the text's straightforward vocabulary and are more clever than Amelia.

The artwork is simple and eye-catching. Amelia's expression is cheerful and hardly ever worried.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about misunderstandings. Have you ever gotten into a situation like Amelia because you misunderstood something? Talk about homonyms and idioms, and come up with other examples.

Book Details

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