The perennially literal-minded Amelia Bedelia volunteers at a science fair where she suggests that a teacher get an A on a "make-up test" since her lipstick looks good. Much of this newest adventure lacks the thread of logic found in the original Amelia Bedelia books. Genial art illustrates the overlong text.

K-Gr 3-The beloved Amelia Bedelia is back, this time as a helper in the school science fair. Naturally, the literal-minded housekeeper runs into all sorts of misunderstandings, from insisting children are way too young for "makeup" tests, to wondering why Dr. Dinglebatt, the judge, is a mad scientist. Havoc breaks loose when Amelia Bedelia adds too much baking soda to a volcano model, and when the professor's hairpiece falls on a computer, a child screeches, "A rat is attacking the mouse!" As per formula, all ends happily with food and smiles while everyone eats the maid's famous lemon meringue pie. Sweat's familiar watercolor-and-ink illustrations are helpful in understanding the wordplay.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.