7 Quirky Facts About Amelia Bedelia

Since her introduction in 1963, Amelia Bedelia, the endearingly clumsy housekeeper created by Peggy Parish, has charmed both kids and grown-ups, securing her place as one of the most cherished characters in children’s literature. While her unique approach to everyday tasks is widely recognized, here are some lesser-known details about Amelia Bedelia.

1. Amelia Bedelia wasn’t Peggy Parish’s debut children’s book.

By the time the first Amelia book hit shelves in 1963, Parish was already an established author. Her initial work, Let’s Be Indians, was published in 1962 by Harper and Row, thanks to editor Susan Hirschman. Over her career, Parish authored more than 30 books, with 12 centered on Miss Bedelia—though not every idea she had was a success.

“She brought in some rather uninspiring drafts about adorable talking kittens—nothing particularly engaging,” Hirschman recalled in a 2013 interview. “[But] Peggy had a magnetic personality, so it was evident she had more to offer ... and she was fully aware of her own humor.” With Peggy’s creative brilliance, the rise of Amelia Bedelia was destined.

2. Amelia Bedelia is a blend of Parish’s third-grade students, a housekeeper from her grandparents’ past, and a touch of her own personality.

Parish spent 15 years teaching third grade at New York’s Dalton School, where she penned the first Amelia Bedelia book. The character’s distinctive perspective was inspired by Parish’s students, whose innocent misunderstandings of language and idioms sparked the idea. She saw the potential for humor and charm in a character who interpreted everything literally, leading to amusing situations.

Years later, her nephew—the future author of the series—Herman Parish learned a story from one of his late aunt’s cousins about a clumsy housekeeper who once worked for their grandparents. “[Their grandmother] instructed her to ‘sweep around the room’ … and she followed the directions precisely: she cleaned the edges but left the center untouched,” Herman shared in a 2013 interview. “When I asked if he had ever mentioned this to Peggy, he said she simply smiled and said nothing.”

Herman also felt that his aunt’s own quirks were reflected in Amelia Bedelia: “[She] occasionally took things literally, not as consistently as Amelia, but enough to see how the character could have emerged naturally from her imagination,” he explained. He even honored her in his first book of the series, Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia, dedicating it to “Peggy Parish, the real Amelia.”

3. The moment Parish thought of the name “Amelia Bedelia,” she knew it was perfect for her character.

“A double name was essential—it simply had to be a double name,” Parish once remarked. She jotted down various names as they occurred to her, but none felt quite right. However, when “Amelia Bedelia” suddenly came to mind, she didn’t need to write it down—she knew instantly it was the perfect fit.

4. The Amelia Bedelia series has remained a family affair...

Following Peggy Parish’s unexpected passing in 1988, Amelia Bedelia’s new adventures paused for a time. Yet, her popularity never waned, and the Parish family continued to receive countless requests from young readers eager for more stories. While several children’s authors approached the family to continue the series, Herman Parish, Peggy’s nephew, felt reluctant to let the character leave the family. A professional copywriter, he believed he could carry on Amelia’s legacy but was determined not to succeed “just because [he’s] a Parish.” He spent over a year studying his aunt’s work before feeling ready to write his own. His efforts paid off; after the success of Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia, Herman has authored over 30 Amelia books.

5. … Yet, Herman has added his own unique spin to the character.

Prompted by countless questions from children about Amelia’s origins, Herman began exploring her childhood and hilarious escapades. His debut young Amelia book, Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School, released in 2009, quickly became a New York Times bestseller. He has since expanded her early adventures and even introduced chapter books for older readers.

6. A statue honoring Amelia Bedelia can be found in Parish’s hometown.

Originally from Manning, South Carolina, Parish returned to her roots after living in New York for many years. To celebrate her legacy, Manning commissioned sculptor James Peter Chaconas to create a statue of Amelia Bedelia. Unveiled in 1999, the bronze sculpture now graces the entrance of the Harvin Clarendon County Library in Manning, serving as a heartfelt homage to one of the town’s most beloved figures.

7. In 2021, This American Life featured an episode reimagining Amelia navigating the challenges of quarantine and remote work in a modern setting.

In a unique episode, NPR’s This American Life enlisted writer Hallie Cantor to reimagine how Amelia Bedelia would handle the realities of COVID-19 lockdowns and remote work. Give it a listen as Amelia humorously “joins a Zoom call” and heads to a baseball field to “connect with HR.”