Amelia Bedelia Facts & Worksheets

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The “Amelia Bedelia” series, created by Peggy Parish and continued by her nephew Herman Parish, introduces us to the charming female character named Amelia Bedelia. Starting in 1963 with the book “Amelia Bedelia,” the stories follow the hilarious misadventures of a literal-minded housemaid. Amelia’s funny way of taking instructions literally leads to lots of laughs. These books are meant for early readers, as they use simple language, cool stories, and funny pictures. After Peggy Parish passed away in 1988, Herman Parish kept the stories going.

See the fact file below for more information about the Literature Study, Amelia Bedelia or you can download our 26-page Amelia Bedelia worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CREATORS AND PUBLICATION

• Margaret Cecile “Peggy” Parish was an American author and educator born on July 14, 1927.
• Born in Manning, South Carolina, Peggy crafted the character of Amelia Bedelia and penned numerous early books in the series.
• Peggy earned her degree in English from the University of South Carolina. 
• She taught in places like Oklahoma, Kentucky, and New York for 15 years, and while teaching third grade at the Dalton School in Manhattan, she wrote her first children’s book.
• Peggy wrote over 30 books, and by the time she passed away, they sold 7 million copies.
• Following Peggy Parish’s passing in 1988, her nephew Herman Parish assumed the responsibility and continued the series.
• Herman remembered her in his book “Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia.”
• He talked about how she wrote using index cards and showed a lot of respect for her creative process.

ILLUSTRATORS

• The pictures in the Amelia Bedelia books are important because they make the funny stories even more amusing. 
• Different artists have drawn the pictures over the years, like Fritz Siebel and Wallace Tripp in the beginning, and later Lynn Sweat and Lynne Avril.
• Fritz Siebel drew the pictures for the very first Amelia Bedelia book in 1963 and did all the art for a while.
• His drawings were simple but showed exactly how Amelia Bedelia would take things literally and get into funny situations.
• After Fritz Siebel, another artist named Wallace Tripp drew pictures for a few of the books. 
• Wallace’s drawings were really detailed and added a magical touch to the stories.
• In the late 1990s, Lynn Sweat became the artist for the Amelia Bedelia books.
• Around the same time as Lynn Sweat, Lynne Avril started drawing pictures for the series, too.

CHARACTER PROFILE

• Amelia Bedelia, the star of the book series by Peggy and Herman Parish, is a really funny and lovable character.
• What makes her so special is how she takes everything super literally.
• If you tell her to “draw the drapes,” she might actually grab a pen and paper and draw curtains instead of closing them.
• Amelia is a good-hearted person, even though she messes up instructions.
• She works as a cook and sometimes helps around the house, which is kind of like what Peggy Parish did when she was young.
• One cool thing that happens in the series is that Amelia does not follow recipes, but somehow, her food always turns out delicious.
• Her way of understanding things literally leads to lots of funny situations.
• Despite the chaos, people appreciate her because she’s a nice person and a great cook.
• Amelia Bedelia’s stories not only make readers laugh but also show the importance of clear communication.

KEY PLOT POINTS AND RECURRING THEMES

• The inaugural book, “Amelia Bedelia” (1963), introduces Amelia Bedelia’s comedic misinterpretations, like her literal drawing of drapes.
• In “Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping” (1985), Amelia turns a camping trip into an adventure with her literal-mindedness which shows how she adds her unique flair to outdoor activities.
• Amelia’s sincere attempts in “Thank You, Amelia Bedelia” (1964) to plan a surprise party result in chaos, as well as her Christmas preparations in “Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia” (1965), which bring festive chaos and holiday hilarity.
• Offering insight into her background, “Amelia Bedelia’s Family Album” (1988) provides a glimpse into her family history and upbringing.
• Amelia’s love for reading takes a literal turn and causes a stir at the library with her unconventional approach to books in “Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm” (1993).
• Amelia participates in a baking contest, showcasing her culinary talents and literal interpretation of baking instructions in “Amelia Bedelia Bakes Off” (2010).

BOOK TITLES

• The series of books featuring Amelia Bedelia includes 41 titles written by both Peggy Parish and her nephew, Herman Parish. 
• Here are the books written by Peggy, along with their respective publication years:
  • “Amelia Bedelia” (1963) 
  • “Thank You, Amelia Bedelia” (1964) 
  • “Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower” (1966)
  • “Come Back, Amelia Bedelia” (1971) 
  • “Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia” (1972) 
  • “Good Work, Amelia Bedelia” (1976) 
  • “Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia” (1977) 
  • “Amelia Bedelia Helps Out” (1979)
  • “Amelia Bedelia and the Baby” (1981)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping” (1985)
  • “Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia” (1986)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s Family Album” (1988)

• Here are the books written by Herman, featuring the adult version of Amelia:
  • Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia” (1995) 
  • “Bravo, Amelia Bedelia!” (1997)
  • “Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor” (1999)
  • “Calling Doctor Amelia Bedelia” (2002) 
  • Amelia Bedelia and the Christmas List” (2003)
  • “Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm” (2003)
  • “Happy Haunting, Amelia Bedelia” (2004)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Goes Back to School” (2004)
  • “Be My Valentine, Amelia Bedelia” (2005)
  • “Amelia Bedelia, Rocket Scientist?” (2005)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Under Construction” (2006)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s Masterpiece” (2007)
  • “Amelia Bedelia and the Cat” (2008)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey” (2008)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Bakes Off” (2010) 
  • “Go West, Amelia Bedelia!” (2011)
  • “Amelia Bedelia, Cub Reporter” (2012)
• Herman also wrote books that are part of Amelia’s childhood series:
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School” (2009)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine” (2009)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie” (2010)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Field Trip” (2011)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Makes a Friend” (2011)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Vote” (2012)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over” (2012)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Unleashed” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Means Business” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Hits the Trail” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Road Trip!” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Tries her Luck” (2013)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Joins the Club” (2014)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Goes Wild” (2014)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up” (2014)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Chalks One Up” (2014)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Cleans Up” (2015)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Is for the Birds” (2015)
  • “Amelia Bedelia Sets Sail” (2015)

LEGACY AND ADAPTATIONS

• The impact of the “Amelia Bedelia” series on children’s books is significant as it has helped make funny and engaging books for early readers more popular. 
• Parents, teachers, and librarians often recommend these books because they are easy to read and full of fun stories that make young readers excited.
• Back in 1992, a cartoon show called “The Adventures of Amelia Bedelia” was created, which brought the character to life through animation and chronicled her adventures in different episodes.

Amelia Bedelia Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Literature Study, Amelia Bedelia across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Amelia Bedelia. Starting in 1963 with the book “Amelia Bedelia,” the stories follow the hilarious misadventures of a literal-minded housemaid. Amelia’s funny way of taking instructions literally leads to lots of laughs. These books are meant for early readers, as they use simple language, cool stories, and funny pictures. After Peggy Parish passed away in 1988, Herman Parish kept the stories going.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Amelia Bedelia Facts
2. Fast Facts
3. About the Creators
4. Personalized Lexicon
5. Amelia’s Quirks
6. What If Amelia Understood?
7. Plot Shenanigans
8. Lessons Learned
9. My Own Storyline
10. Recipe Remix
11. Rate and Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Amelia Bedelia?

Amelia Bedelia is a fictional character created by Peggy Parish in the 1960s. She is a housekeeper known for her literal interpretations of instructions, often leading to humorous misunderstandings and mishaps.

What are some key themes in the “Amelia Bedelia” series?

The “Amelia Bedelia” series often explores themes of communication, language, and understanding. The stories highlight the importance of clarity in communication and the humor that can arise from misunderstandings.

How did the character of Amelia Bedelia evolve throughout the series?

Initially, Amelia Bedelia was portrayed as a comically literal housekeeper. However, as the series progressed, she developed more depth as a character, showcasing her kindness, creativity, and problem-solving skills alongside her unique approach to tasks.

What impact did the “Amelia Bedelia” series have on children’s literature?

The “Amelia Bedelia” series introduced children to wordplay and idiomatic expressions in a humorous and accessible way. It encouraged readers to think critically about language and interpretation while providing entertaining stories.

What are some popular titles in the “Amelia Bedelia” series?

Some popular titles in the series include “Amelia Bedelia,” “Thank You, Amelia Bedelia,” “Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping,” “Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia,” and “Good Work, Amelia Bedelia.” These books have delighted generations of children with their clever wordplay and amusing antics.

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