Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping

Amelia Bedelia #10

by Peggy Parish, Lynn Sweat (Illustrations)

Learn to read with the classic Amelia Bedelia! Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper. Amelia Bedelia has never been camping in the great outdoors before. She's trying her best to do exactly as she's told, but pitching a tent is not the same as throwing it into the bushes, and catching a fish with your bare hands isn't easy. As usual, the mixed-up housekeeper makes this camping trip one hugely entertaining adventure. This Level 2 I Can Read is perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. "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."— The New York Times Book Review

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Classics

56 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Peggy Parish was the author of the children's story series Amelia Bedelia. The series was continued, after her sudden death from an aneurysm, by her nephew Herman Parish. Peggy attended the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Herman honored Peggy's life in his book, Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia, by writing in its dedication: "For Peggy Parish, the real Amelia Bedelia."

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Nora · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. Yes I’m including this because I’m trying to meet my 2020 Goodreads book goal
2. I HATE Amelia Bedelia
3. “Sleeping bags” is literally the worst of all the stupid AB literal jokes.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really would think Mr. and Mrs. Rogers would learn to be clearer - or at least to show her what they mean before setting her to a task. But then, we wouldn't have this delightful series of mishaps.

[Tara DuBose-Schmitt]

Everyone knows Amelia Bedelia is a dim bulb. This book absolutely proves Mr. and Mrs.Rogers are also dumb. They should know by now not to expect much from Amelia Bedelia except dessert, but still they ask her to do stuff and are inevitably disappointed.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved the Amelia Bedelia books since I was little; a great way to teach kids about the concept of idioms. Although you'd think Mr. and Mrs. Rogers would eventually figure out they need to explain things more thoroughly to her!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chocolate "chip" cookies and tent "steaks" - such a hilarious read!

Reading Level: 1st - 3rd grades

Cleanliness: someone says "shoot" and "what in tarnation."

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is mildly amusing. The real question is if Mr. Rogers is so annoyed with Amelia Bedelia, why do they keep her around?!?

[Abby Chenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of figurative language

[Lover of books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how funny these books are I love reading them to my daughter.

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 books in and I can see why I liked these as a kid. Very cute and funny. As an adult, I don't see how she's survived this long 😆 Cute camping adventure, saved again by her cooking.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is a damn idiot

[annalee ✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a dumb ho

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of a weird story, but it makes me want to go camping with Amelia Bedelia.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book summary: This book is when Amelia Bedelia goes on a camping trip with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. She messes up throughout the book in a humorous way but does only what she is told to do. You have to read to find out. All is made right by the end and they had an overall great camping trip.
Grade level: K-2
Appropriate classroom use: This is a light-heart-ed book for those students that are in the mood for something funny. Amelia Bedelia goes through realistic problems that students can relate to. The students can predict how to help her solve the problem before they find out what she did to solve the problem. That way the kids write their own version of the story.
Indv. students who benefit: Students that want something funny and relate able to read.
Small group use: Work on reading faster and better and even coming up with words that rhyme on a certain page. There can be learning stations and this can be one station.
Whole class use: This book is appropriate to read out loud.
Related books: Other Amelia Bedelia books there are plenty!
Multimedia connections: Available in Audio CD, paperback, and school and library binding.

[Gretchen Rosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. The maid Amelia goes camping with the Rogers. When trying to learn how to camp she takes things way too literally. For example when she was asked to pitch the tent she literally threw it, or when she had to make chocolate chip cookies she used an entire bag of chips! Mr. Rogers is getting very frustrated with her. Eventually she gets the hang of camping.
2. 2-4 grade
3. Reading/independent read
4. I think this book (and series) is a good individual read for girls (i loved these books growing up)
5. In small groups students could read this book and plan their own camping trip.
6. This book is a good carpet read for the entire class. It will have all students laughing.
7. There are several Amelia Bedelia books.
8. You can find the audio version of this book.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a typical book in the Amelia Bedelia series. They are good for young readers, but for some reason, they drive me crazy. Our girls enjoy reading them and laugh at her too literal interpretations of what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers say.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids really enjoyed Amelia Bedelia and her incompetence.

Library copy.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia is, like Bill Murray in Meatballs, ready for the summer...and not vice versa! She and the Rogerses are going camping, so what could possibly go wrong? If you know AB, then you KNOW the answer! AB is asked to pitch the tent. But pitching it, as in physically throwing it, requires the help of two boys who happen to be in the same camp area and happen as well to be Amelia's big fans! Obviously her deeds have become public knowledge, for which an entire city is paying the price, so to speak! Mr Rogers has soooo had it up to HERE and Mrs Rogers tries to be diplomatic about it. Still, it turns out same as all of AB's adventures: her klutzy uber-literal perspective makes for a fun time and really does bring the Rogerses together. Try not to expect too much development of character, cos if the characters improved, how would this series be any fun?
Four stars
Amelia Bedelia is always INTENTS!!!LOL!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia goes camping was so funny. I think students would love to read about her and her funny experiences in the woods. Kid’s often think plays on words are comical and it’s a form of humor they can easily understand. The idea of an adult doing something so outlandish is really amusing to young readers. The images that accompany the story are cute and descriptive and help students get an even better idea of what is happening and how bad she is messing things up. I also like the fact that at the end they all make up and are happy. I think this shows students that even if you are confused or make a mistake people will forgive you and still love you, which is an important lesson for young kids to hear. I would use this book if we are talking about how mistakes are okay, or camping, or even forgiveness. The book is really versatile and would be great in a classroom.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia books are books I loved reading growing up. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping is a level two reading book, which makes it very easy for young readers. I might have been a bit biased when I gave this book five stars but I really do love it and enjoyed reading it. It tells the story of Amelia’s first outdoor camping trip and of course all the crazy things she does. She quickly discovers that catching fish with your hands and putting up a tent is not as easy as it sounds. Like all the other Amelia Bedelia books, she takes you on quite an adventure. Even though this is a level two reading book, I would have it in any elementary grade class that I taught along with some of her other books.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't read an Amelia Bedelia book since I was a kid and forgot that the premise is she doesn't understand ANYTHING and takes everything literally. My 4 year old found it pretty funny, even though I don't think she knew some of the expressions Amelia Bedelia was messing up on. As an adult I just kept being like "Why are they continuing to employ this person?" but at the end it seems like she makes a great lunch, so I guess that's what's up! Good for a silly early reader about camping, we got this out along with a bunch of other stories for a camping trip this year, though it's a bit long for a bedtime read.

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such a clear memory of laughing out loud at Amelia Bedelia hitting the road with a stick…after my teacher explained to me what both senses of the phrase “hit the road” meant. I truly believe that the Amelia Bedelia books are a major reason why instead of being frustrated by idioms, I not only love learning about them but I also seek them out. She walked so I could run.

And as wacky—and sometimes bordering on insufferable—as these scenarios are when you read them as an adult, I think they’re the right about of funny, unbelievable, and good-humored for children.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has Amelia Bedelia going on her first camping trip with Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. She helps pack the car and of course makes several miss steps as her literal mind translates in only they way Amelia Bedelia can.

She goes fishing, rows a boat and pitches the tent - all of these things done in the way Amelia can. My favorite part is when she gets the stakes out for the tent. Which end up being stakes cut in triangles. That is so classic Amelia Bedelia!

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always misunderstanding, and then saving the day with food! That's Amelia Bedelia!
Pitch a tent? Catch a fish? Hit the road? And, my personal favorite, sleeping bags? Dude, you've gotta give her more instruction, and Mr. and Mrs. Rogers should know this about her by now! Still, my 4 year old bonus son laughed at it, and my 12 year old daughter tried to predict which camping items would get misunderstood by A.B., so good family fun for us!

Sleeping bags.... :-)

[Greg S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent.
As you read you have to make your own edits to improve the pacing, the rhythm, etc., but it’s mostly good.

There are better puns in other Amelia Bedelia books.
And she has a brief tantrum, which felt odd.

Mr and Mrs. Roger’s reactions were strong in this book and raised the question of why they put up with it if she causes so much misery.

Other books make her behavior seem more juvenile and harmless.

[Kylie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is another fun tale in the Amelia Bedelia series! This book tells the story of Amelia Bedelia's first time camping and how it isn't going as planned. This is a fun book to read to kids about the shenanigans Amelia Bedelia gets into like fishing for fish with her hands instead of a fishing pole. This a great book to read to kids when you need a great laugh!

[Josh Vickers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was incredibly discouraging. It felt like Amelia could do nothing right. I’m not sure if she was trying her best or if she was being obnoxious, but I was infuriated at her attempts to start a fire by pouring coffee on pinecones. Was she serious????? She is a grown adult. This is ridiculous Amelia needs to pay a tax or something.

[Amy Niles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series to help children learn how to play with words and the literal meaning of words versus their actual intended meaning. The art is goofy and looks pencil drawn. Amelia Bedelia really shows the light side of life and how to keep on going even after multiple mistakes. Peggy Parish's' works are folksy and easy reading for beginner and intermediate learners.

[Zoe Bechdel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Amelia Bedelia has always been such a silly character in my eyes, and she's been one I always loved reading about when I was younger. Even as an adult, this book had me laughing. I liked trying to figure out what she was going to do next after reading the orders she was given by the Rogers.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia never been camping before and there was a lot to learn. But Amelia Bedelia does exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Rogers tell her. ...But somehow things never turn out quite right. That's why things always get up and down.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia goes camping with Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. Since Amelia Bedelia has never been camping before, it's a test of patience and perseverance for Mr. and Mrs. Rogers as they catch fish, pitch tents, and start fires all with the help of Amelia Bedelia.