Amelia Bedelia's First Library Card

K-Gr 2—This sixth Amelia Bedelia title by Herman Parish presents a younger, modern Amelia in a wordy picture-book format. When Amelia's class takes a trip to the library, the youngsters get a tour that includes a chance to check in returned books, a walk through the stacks (not of hay or pancakes), and a visit to the children's room. With assistance from the librarian, Amelia picks a book about cupcakes to borrow but accidentally winds up with one on weather instead. This turns out to be surprisingly prophetic and, during a thunderstorm, she leaves the book outdoors. Horrified, she and her mother explain the pulpy mess to the librarian, who accepts their offer to replace the book and an apology cupcake. "Yummm!" says the librarian. "Amelia Bedelia, I'm glad you brought this in for me to check out!" Amelia takes a few things literally, but the text has far more subtle wordplay and library rules than Amelia's typical misunderstandings. Avril's illustrations done in gouache and black pencil do a fine job of depicting everything from the settings to Amelia's ever-changing expressions, bringing the text to life. Sure to be popular where Parish's previous Amelia Bedelia titles have done well.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH