Amelia Bedelia's Masterpiece

These I can read Books are a great help with our ESL programs at our overseas school. The students love Amelia.

Amelia Bedelia visits an art museum. She is immediately fooled by a sculpture called Birdwatcher, convinced that this work of art is a real person. Mrs. Rogers introduces her to Arthur Stiles, the director of the museum, who suggests that she look around the museum and then they'll figure out a way she can help as their newest volunteer. At the gift shop, Amelia Bedelia purchases a genuine reproduction of a bust (a sculpture of the head, shoulders and chest) that looks just like Cousin Alcolu. She heads off to explore the museum and immediately comes across the real bust of Cousin Alcolu. Noticing that the bust she bought (which she refers to as a "real fake") is in better shape than the original one, Amelia Bedelia swaps the busts. She places the "worth less" one on the pedestal and puts the "price less" one in her bag so she can take it home and clean it up. It looks like Amelia Bedelia hasn't made such a wise decision, right? Little does our literal-minded housekeeper know that this one action will have serious consequences for herself, Mrs. Rogers, Art and the museum. Will her entire visit be a bust?

Reviewed by Matthew Feliciano (age 7) for Reader Views (7/08) I have been reading the Amelia Bedelia books for as long as I can remember. When I found out that I could review one, I told my mom to get it right away! I think that this book was really good. It was the best one yet in my opinion. In this book, Amelia Bedelia had to work for an art museum because it was low on staff. She was asked to help out. She found a bus that looked like Cousin Alcolu's bus and she wanted to buy it. Then, when she was walking around doing her job, she saw a painter copying a painting to learn how to paint better. Later, she saw the same person switch his painting for the real one and walk away. Amelia Bedelia alerted everyone and they locked the doors. They caught this person thanks to Amelia Bedelia. Amelia Bedelia is a funny character and I look forward to reviewing more of these books! "Amelia Bedelia's Masterpiece" by Herman Parish was really good.

America's favorite befuddled housekeeper is now exploring the art world. Of course, a big museum is a treasure trove of opportunities for Amelia Bedelia to turn misinterpretation into an art form that young readers will never forget! Amelia Bedelia's Masterpiece is filled with glorious illustrations that move the story along and underscore the meaning of the word play. Recommended!

I thought the book had a cute story. My 5 3/4 year old daughter loves to read Amelia Bedelia's. She found this story a little slow in the beginning, and would only read 4 or 5 pages at a time. About the middle of the book the pace picked up and she enjoyed the story more once the artist stole a painting, and a little boy created artwork on the blank walls.