Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish, Lynne Avril (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about the first day of school.

• New friends
• A new teacher
• Her own desk
• Music, books, gym, art
• Recess and lunch

Amelia Bedelia can't wait.

What could be better?

School! School!

Hooray for school!

Amelia Bedelia has been making readers laugh since 1963, when the first Amelia Bedelia book was published. Now, for the first time, you can meet the young Amelia Bedelia. Come join the fun!

Publishers Weekly

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. (July)

Children's Literature

Young Amelia Bedelia starts her first day of school by following the bus driver's instructions, "Here we are. Time to jump off!" Amelia Bedelia takes a running start and jumps off the school bus. The pint-sized Amelia Bedelia misunderstands her way through the rest of the school day, with teachers and children laughing with her and at her, right through the end. She squishes her nose in books when the teacher says "I want to see your little noses in the books!" She refuses to feel like a sloppy Joe (even though she does eat one) and glues herself to her seat, literally. The brightly-colored gouache and black pencil illustrations will add to the humor and light-heartedness of this picture book. Although not as memorable as the original Amelia Bedelia books, this book will have readers laughing at the antics of the young Amelia Bedelia. Some readers, however, might wonder why she never seems to get in trouble for her behavior, as some school-aged kids would if they followed her example. This story is a nice addition where Amelia Bedelia is already popular. Reviewer: Joella Peterson

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

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