Amelia Bedelia is a housekeeper who takes her instructions quite
literally. Reading the list of chores that her employer has left her,
Amelia begins with "Dust the furniture." How odd, Amelia thinks to
herself. "At my house we undust the furniture." Nonetheless, she
dutifully locates the "Dusting Powder" in the bathroom, and proceeds to
sprinkle it all over the living-room furniture and floor. Next she is
asked to "Draw the drapes when the sun comes in." So of course, Amelia
sits down with a sketchpad and gives it her best shot. Children love
reading about the antics of silly
Amelia Bedelia for myriad reasons. It's an early reader book, so children in primary
grades can take satisfaction in reading the book on their own. But, even
more thrilling, children who are 6 and older can successfully interpret
the figurative meaning behind most adult idioms. Being told to "keep an
eye on the cat," for example, might compel some preschoolers to stick
their eyeballs on a cat's face, eliciting peals of laughter from
know-it-all grownups. But older children know better, and they love the
fact that they know better. Young readers will find this bumblingly
charming, eager-to-please housekeeper as irresistible as Amelia
Bedelia's employers do. (Ages 6 and older)
--Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"A perfect blend of text and pictures spiced with humor." --