Amelia Bedelia paid a visit to students at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School Monday, where she “dusted” the children, sprinkled them with dusting powder from a frilly pink puff and showed off a couple of chickens she had “dressed” — one in a tuxedo and one in a pink gown — before heading over to the cafeteria to see how real cooks dress poultry.

Amelia Bedelia’s a little bit different, said author and guest speaker Herman Parish. “In Amelia Bedelia’s house, they don’t dust, they undust.”

About 100 kindergarten through fourth-graders gathered in the gym at St. Aloysius to hear Herman Parish talk about his aunt, Peggy Parish, her character, Amelia Bedelia, and her many misadventures. A group of fifth- through eighth-graders attended a morning session.

Parish, 59, was a fourth-grader in 1963 when Peggy Parish published “Amelia Bedelia,” the first in her series of books about the literal-minded maid. In it, she “draws” drapes, “dresses” a chicken and “trims” the fat on a roast with lace and ribbons.

Peggy Parish had been teaching third grade for a dozen years when she created Amelia Bedelia, he said.

“My aunt Peggy was a firm believer in children reading,” Parish said. “She felt there was a certain window of time where they would either become avid readers or not.”

After teaching and publishing 12 Amelia Bedelia books, among other works, Peggy Parish died in 1988. For years, the family continued to receive up to 2,000 letters a year from children asking about Amelia Bedelia and when the next book would be published, said her nephew.

Eventually, Herman Parish, who was an advertising copy writer, decided to continue her work.

Like his aunt, who drew upon her experiences growing up in South Carolina in writing the Amelia Bedelia books, Herman Parish found inspiration one day when he and his wife were driving and got lost, he told the students. His wife checked a map and gave directions and eventually they came to a “T” intersection.

“Do I turn left?” he asked her.

“Right,” she replied.

“So I turned right, but then she said that kind of right was wrong,” he said. “And then she said, ‘Don’t you know left is right?’”

Parish had given himself a year to figure out how to write his Amelia Bedelia book, but realized then, “I’m in an Amelia Bedelia story right now. I just have to live through it and then I can write it down.”

He published “Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia” in 1995, adding such sure-fire Amelia Bedelia challenges as, “We just have to look for the fork in the road,” “Bear left!” and “Do you need a tow?”

Herman Parish has since added 12 more books to the series, including several about a young, school-age Amelia Bedelia and picture books for younger students. Chapter books are in the works, he said.

“It’s a great concept,” said St. Francis librarian Dinnie Johnston, who had a supply of books on hand for students to purchase and Parish to sign. “It’s great that he’s carried it on.”

Parish told the students he keeps a notebook to record ideas. One he noted in a restaurant about seven years ago, and plans to use soon.

“Bring me a piece of pie,” a truck driver told a waitress. “And step on it.”

1,000 books sought to mark Dr. Seuss’ birthday Friday

The newly founded Anita Tarnabine Literary Foundation hopes to collect 1,000 children’s and young adult books to donate to schools in the Vicksburg Warren School District by Friday, Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

The books can be new or good-condition used and dropped off at Bookland, Playland and by “The Lorax” movie theater poster at the Vicksburg Mall on Pemberton Square Boulevard; Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington St.; and Coldwell Banker All Stars, NOLA Lending Group and the Robyn Lea State Farm office, all at 2170 S. Frontage Road.

“I want people to take five minutes of their time and sort through their bookshelves to find gently-used or brand new books to donate,” said Jennifer Walker of NOLA Lending Group. “Your books can educate our future leaders. Please participate in this book drive and invest in our community’s children.”

The book drive is in conjunction with the Dr. Seuss Birthday Read-A-Bration which will see more than 130 volunteers in the schools Friday reading Dr. Seuss books to students, Lea said.

The March “Get Healthy Walk” held by Shape Up Sisters plans to include book donations from walkers.

Donations of any children’s books are welcomed, not just Dr. Seuss books.

For more information, call Lea at 601-738-3333 or e-mail robynlea@robynlea.com.