This has been a week of trials and tribulations and its only Tuesday which has me shaking my head wondering what is going to happen during the rest of the week. I had meant to take my life back and get back on my diet. I found a can of Slim Fast in the Ice Box waiting to be used. Instead of doing that and walking I’ve been working on the new blog.
Which is something I needed to do more than you know. Then this morning the LORD gave me a gentle nudge when I found another Ameilia Bedelia book I can’t wait to read. The book is called Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up.. I was excited to find out childhood favorite book could inspire adults to get up and move because sometimes a book can meet us at exactly the right time. Which is what happened when I found Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up.
When I saw the title, I immediately thought about Suzanne and Charlie and the years when I read Amelia Bedelia books with them. Those are the kinds of memories that stay with a mom long after the children have grown. A favorite character from childhood can bring back so many moments. The funny voices we used while reading. The conversations we had. The laughter over a silly story.
And sometimes those memories are exactly what we need when we are trying to make new habits in our own lives. That is why I wanted to include this book in our 30 Minutes of Reading Challenge: Creating a Habit One Page at a Time. Because reading is not just something we do sitting in a chair.
Reading can inspire us. Reading can encourage us. Reading can even motivate us to get up and move. As someone who is over 60, I know I need to make better choices for myself. I need to drink more water. I need to get my steps in. I need to move more and spend less time sitting. And if I am being honest, that has not always been easy.
Some days I do great. Some days I struggle. But I believe every day is another chance to start again. Sometimes anything that motivates us is a blessing. And if a childhood favorite like Amelia Bedelia can encourage me to get moving, then I am thankful for that little reminder that the LORD brought me this morning.
Today’s Children’s Book Spotlight
Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up is the fifth chapter book in the series about the childhood adventures of Amelia Bedelia. This book follows Amelia Bedelia as she explores sports and activities while trying to find something that is just right for her. Her friends and classmates each seem to have a sport they love and something they’re good at.
Amelia Bedelia loves games and activities, but she discovers she is not always the fastest, strongest, or quickest. But that does not stop her. When her class learns about the sports of ancient Greece, Amelia Bedelia begins searching for a sport that she can call her own. And because this is Amelia Bedelia, readers can expect plenty of funny situations along the way.
What I love about this story is that Amelia Bedelia reminds us that being active is not about being the best. It is about trying. It is about having fun. It is about finding something you enjoy. Just like Amelia Bedelia that is what I’m going to do with my diet because my knees will never quit hurting if I don’t shed this weight.
Why I Chose This Book
I chose Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up first, it is a chapter book. As part of this reading challenge, I wanted to share books that grow with children. Picture books are wonderful, but chapter books give children the opportunity to build endurance, confidence, and independence as readers which is important as children grow up.
Second, I chose this book because I think it can motivate more than just children. As adults, we sometimes need reminders too. We need reminders to get off the chair. To put down the electronics. To take a walk. To try something new. And sometimes a simple story can be the encouragement we need.
I can picture taking this book along while Phoebe and I go walking. I could read a chapter while taking a break. I could sit down during a commercial and enjoy a few pages. If I still had my treadmill, I might even try reading while walking on it — but since I do not, I will find another way. Because the goal is not perfection. The goal is progress.
A Homeschool Connection: Reading Meets PE
One of the reasons I think this book would be wonderful for homeschool families is because learning does not always have to happen at a desk. Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up could easily become part of a homeschool physical education lesson just as much as a reading lesson in a Language Arts Class.
After reading, families could:
- Talk about different sports and activities.
- Try a new movement activity.
- Take a family walk.
- Learn about the ancient Greek Olympics.
- Discuss the importance of practice and perseverance.
A book can become the starting point for an entire afternoon of learning. That is the beauty of reading together.
What Adults Can Learn From Amelia Bedelia
I think adults can learn something from Amelia Bedelia too. We do not have to be the fastest. We do not have to be the strongest. We do not have to have everything figured out before we begin. Sometimes we just need to take the first step. Literally. A walk around the block. A few extra steps around the house. A glass of water instead of another sugary drink. A few minutes away from the screen. Small changes add up. And just like reading one page at a time creates a reading habit, small healthy choices create a healthier lifestyle.
Today’s 30-Minute Reading Challenge
Today, spend 30 minutes reading.
You can:
📚 Read Amelia Bedelia Shapes Up with your child.
📚 Let your child read a chapter independently.
📚 Take your book outside while you walk.
📚 Read a favorite childhood book that brings back memories.
Then ask:
What is one activity you would like to try just for fun?
Because sometimes the best adventures begin with a simple story. A book can remind us of where we have been. A book can inspire where we are going. And a book can help us create new memories along the way. One page at a time.
I would like to invite you back tomorrow for Davy 5 in our 30 Minute Reading Challenge where we examine more Amelia Bedelia books.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products you purchase.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates