Scholastic Children's Dictionary

This large, colorful dictionary was updated in 2019 and invites hours of browsing! The main entry words are set in red type, so they're easy to find. All entries are labeled with the parts of speech and include concise definitions that are easy for kids to understand. Other features (which vary by entry) include: pronunciation helps, cross-references, sample sentences, usage labels, homophones, and related words/word forms. Every page has colorful captioned photos and illustrations that provide visual examples of some of the entries. Interesting language tip boxes appear throughout the dictionary, describing word origins and usage information. Changes in the most current 2019 edition include additional "modern vernacular" according to the publisher, including words like "mosh pit" and "chat room." However, we have received concerns from several customers who have reviewed the new edition and felt that there were some words inappropriate to this age group such as (sex, sexist, sexism and abortion) as well as definitions that may be modernized or simplified. We are currently out of stock, but will do a more in-depth review when the book is back in stock.

Another unique feature is the "About this letter" boxes that appear on the opening page of each new letter. Each box provides interesting facts about the letter or spelling/pronunciation tips. The back of the dictionary contains a reference section with several language guides (thesaurus, grammar, punctuation, idioms and initials/acronymns/abbreviations). It also includes numbers and measurement tables; statistics on the U.S. presidents; and a geography section with maps and flags of the U.S. and Canada and a geographical map of the world. 880 pgs, hc. ~ Lisa