Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine

New York Times Book Review

Praise for Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School:New York Times Bestseller“Amelia [Bedelia] wears her new picture-book format well…[It] works beautifully as a new way to encounter the gaffe-prone gal.”

Publishers Weekly

Love is in the air for Amelia Bedelia, in the second story to feature the literal-minded heroine as a child. She gives away her card-playing mother's hand—“Look at all those valentines!”—and fixes valentine cards that confuse her (she puts a bandage across a broken heart on one that reads “Hi Heartbreaker!”). And when she leaves the valentines on the bus, she has to improvise using playing cards. Her ingenuous spirit will continue to capture hearts. Ages 4–8. (Dec.)

Children's Literature - Summer Whiting

Amelia Bedelia is at it again. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and she cannot wait to get started on her cards for her classmates. She races home from school to find her mom playing cards. She peeks over her shoulder and wonders aloud why her mom has so many Valentines! Her mom hands her a new deck of cards and sends her off to the kitchen for a snack. She gets right to work on the cards for her friends but the Valentines confuse her. "Hi Heartbreaker!" She places a bandage on the broken heart. She throws peanuts in the envelope belonging to the card that reads, "I'm NUTS for you!" The next one says, "You're 2 COOL." She has no choice but to warm it up! She arrives to school the next day, ready to celebrate with her friends. Oh no! Amelia Bedelia left her Valentines on the school bus. She begins to cry but not for long. This quirky little girl figures out a way to spread love in a most ideal way. The gouache and black pencil illustrations are engaging and dear and will delight readers of all ages. What fun it is to see Amelia Bedelia as a little girl! Her antics will have everyone laughing in no time. This is a must have for Amelia lovers and also for those who are just getting acquainted. Reviewer: Summer Whiting