Amelia Bedelia Through The Years, From 1963 to the Present

Peggy Parish wrote the first Amelia Bedelia series in 1963, inspired by the students in her third-grade classroom and their creative use of vocabulary. Her nephew, Herman Parish, said: "My aunt was a big believer in children reading. She really thought that was the key to their independence. With a book, you can go anywhere at least in your mind." The book was illustrated by Fritz Siebel. (Illustrations: © The Estate of Fritz Siebel, © Lynn Sweat, © Lynne Avril)