Curious George At the Fire Station: This book would present several problems for students from different cultures. The first problem I can see is George himself - why would a monkey visit a fire station and why would a monkey be treated like a person? Depending on where a child came from the whole idea of a fire station may be totally foreign. Also the fact that people could go visit a fire station may be a foreign idea as well. Going on any sort of field trip might be difficult for second language learners to understand.
Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie: Amelia Bedelia is difficult for some students to understand because of the figurative language used in the books. This book is filled with phrases that would need to be explained to students from different cultures, i.e. "watch your step" and the fact that Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally may be over the heads' of students who don't have a firm grasp on the English language. Again, a trip to the apple stand may be a foreign idea as well as the many different types of apples available at the apple stand.
I agree with your observations from the books. Amelia Bedelia, though delightful, contains very difficult concepts for the diverse learner. And speaking from experience, students with autism as well a very concrete learners do not understand the humor.
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