Amelia Bedelia: questions to ask and activities to try
Amelia Bedelia follows every instruction exactly as written: she draws the drapes with a pencil and dresses the chicken in clothes. A funny classic about words with two meanings.
What age is Amelia Bedelia for?
Amelia Bedelia is best for ages 5–8.
Amelia Bedelia (Peggy Parish and Fritz Siebel)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Words with two meanings, and the funny side of misunderstandings
Only 50pAmelia Bedelia activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Before each page, ask what the instruction really means. Then see what Amelia does instead, and laugh together.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Amelia Bedelia follows every instruction exactly as written: she draws the drapes with a pencil and dresses the chicken in clothes. A funny classic about words with two meanings.
- Helps with
- Words with two meanings, and the funny side of misunderstandings
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Words with two meanings
- Understanding instructions
- Misunderstandings
- Laughing at mistakes
Comprehension and discussion questions for Amelia Bedelia
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What does ’draw the drapes’ really mean?”
- “What did Amelia Bedelia do instead?”
- “Which mix-up was the funniest?”
- “How did the family feel when they came home?”
- “What saved her job?”
- “Can you think of another phrase that could be taken the wrong way?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Amelia Bedelia
All 6 questions for Amelia Bedelia on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Amelia's list
Write a silly job list (’dust the plants’, ’run the bath’) and act out what Amelia would do.
Two meanings
Find words with two meanings, like ’bat’ or ’ring’, and draw both.
Amelia Bedelia activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Amelia Bedelia, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about words with two meanings.
A 20-minute session for ages 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Before each page, ask what the instruction really means. Then see what Amelia does instead, and laugh together.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What does ’draw the drapes’ really mean?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Amelia's list. Write a silly job list (’dust the plants’, ’run the bath’) and act out what Amelia would do. Children who finish early can try Two meanings.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Amelia Bedelia activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
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- Best for
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- Age
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- Best for
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- Age
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- Best for
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- Age
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.