About the Author

Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt, Peggy Parish, created Amelia Bedelia, the literal-minded housekeeper. Peggy wrote twelve books in the series before she passed away in 1988. The interest of educators and the enthusiasm of young readers prompted Herman to continue the character in 1995 with his first book, Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia.

Since then, Herman has added more than thirty books to the series. He has carried on her adventures as a housekeeper in books such as the best-selling Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm, and he has broken new ground in his most recent books portraying Amelia Bedelia as a young girl. She may be little, but she is as literal as ever. There are picture books for the youngest children, including the national bestsellers Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School and Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine. Young Amelia Bedelia also appears in I Can Read Level 1 beginning readers and a new series of chapter books, starting with the best-selling Amelia Bedelia Means Business and Amelia Bedelia Unleashed.

Amelia Bedelia celebrated her 50th birthday in 2013, and she is still going strong. Lynne Avril is the illustrator of all the books about the young Amelia Bedelia, as well as more than fifty other books for children, including Amazing You, by Dr. Gail Saltz, and If I Ran for President, by Catherine Stier. She grew up in Montana and now makes her home in Arizona. You can visit her online at www.lynneavril.com.

Reviews

"No child can resist Amelia [Bedelia] and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language-and no adult can fail to notice that she's usually right when she's wrong." -- New York Times Book Review "Readers will giggle over Amelia [Bedelia]'s mishaps, and her genuine joie de vivre may assuage first-day fears." -- Publishers Weekly "Amelia [Bedelia] wears her new picture-book format well...[it] works beautifully as a new way to encounter the gaffe-prone gal." -- Booklist "Returning with her pun-filled humor and misunderstandings of certain expressions, Amelia Bedelia has her first day of school in this adventure...Children will laugh at Amelia Bedelia's antics, and in many cases, the illustrations enhance the text's humor. ...Young readers will relate to the emotions that Amelia feels." -- School Library Journal

Gr 1-2-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 Reed Business Information.