2. Although she did not want to be an author, she created many stories for her students. Even though writing was the last thing on her mind, she eventually got a few books published. It was this love of reading that helped her with her schoolwork. Her first job in the big city was with the Girl Scouts of America. Peggy Parish was born on July 14, 1927. Parish was often sick as a child. Many family friends and relatives would read to her in hopes that it would make her feel better. She loved hearing the stories so much that she would often ask for more.

3. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with her degree in English in 1948. She taught school in Oklahoma… next in Texas… and then in Kentucky… and finally, at the Dalton School in New York City.

4. Peggy Parish knew what children liked to read. She was always involved in education in some way. She did television shows on preschool education and children’s books. She led numerous in-service training workshops for teachers. Peggy Parish is best known for her series about Amelia Bedelia.

5. Amelia Bedelia became one of Peggy Parish’s most well-known and loved characters in her children’s books. Peggy Parish’s stories about Amelia Bedelia were born in 1963. Amelia Bedelia is an irrational and amusing character who has experience of more than 40 years of mixed up adventures. Can you imagine that??? 40 Years!!! Amelia Bedelia is the preposterously, literal housekeeper for the Rogers family. Some words to describe Amelia Bedelia are: absurd, bizarre, crazy, curious, funny, peculiar, quirky, remarkable, strange, and odd.

6. Amelia Bedelia is a Housekeeper, Teacher, Student, Political Candidate, Amateur Rocket Scientist, Baseball Player, Babysitter, Librarian, Musician, Doctor, Camper, Construction Worker...

7. Amelia Bedelia Thank You, Amelia Bedelia Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower Come Back, Amelia Bedelia Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia Good Work, Amelia Bedelia Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia Amelia Bedelia Helps Out Amelia Bedelia and the Baby Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia Amelia Bedelia's Family Album Amelia Bedelia and Her Wacky World

8. Clues in the Woods The Haunted House Key to the Treasure The Mystery of Hermit Dan Pirate Island Adventure The Ghosts of Cougar Island Zed and the Monsters

9. Be Ready at Eight The Chimp that Went to School Granny, the Baby, and the Big Gray Thing Willy is my Brother Hush, Hush It’s Sleepy Time Let’s Be Early Settlers with Daniel Boone My Little Golden Book of Manners Snapping Turtles All Wrong Day Ootah’s Lucky Day Jumper goes to School I Can - Can you? No More Monsters for Me! Scruffy Mind Your Manners Beginning Mobiles Costumes to Make December Decorations Little Indian Sheet Magic Too Many Rabbits Mr. Adam’s Mistake Let’s Celebrate The Cats Burglar Granny and the Desperados Granny and the Indians Let’s Be Indians Dinosaur Time The 1966 Golden Calendar

10. "Children's rights are taken away from them when they enter school. What I try to show teachers is that all the skills needed to read can be taught outside of textbooks. Today's children are not going to read what they are not interested in. And if a positive attitude toward reading is not developed during the first three years of school, it is virtually impossible to develop it later." ~Peggy Parish

11. Learn More about Amelia Bedelia Learn more about Peggy Parish kidsreads Peggy Parish and Amelia Bedelia