Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia is a series of children's books written by Peggy Parish, and illustrated by Fritz Siebel. The books usually deal with Amelia, who is a maid for a wealthy family, the Rogerses, botching her assignments. For example, she will be told to dust the furniture and take the assignment literally, by taking dust and throwing it all over the furniture, or dressing the turkey by making him an outfit.

By showing that verbs or phrases can have multiple meanings, one of which may be preferred over others, the books teach children about semantics and polysemy, particularly idioms and metaphors.