Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary [Hardcover]

Merriam-Webster (Author), Ruth Heller (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Dictionary

New title! A beginner's dictionary written for children in grades K-2, ages 5-7, featuring hundreds of captivating illustrations by celebrated children's author Ruth Heller. Introduces young readers to almost 3,000 words, using nearly 1,000 entries. Covers basic dictionary skills such as alphabetization, spelling, pronunciation, use of synonyms and antonyms, and using words in context. Packed with jokes, poems, and fun facts to foster and develop a child's language skills.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–This work, which displays an extraordinary level of care in its presentation, includes almost 1000 entries, each used in a sentence. Many of the main entries have bonus words, e.g., related terms or derivations, and some offer basic information on etymology. Jokes and puns that highlight entries are set off in blue banners. The more than 750 large and colorful drawings, most by Heller, add clarity and interest. The design is excellent: large print, lots of white space, lots of visuals, and the use of icons all work together to present words and language in ways that will enlighten and engage children. Unfortunately, the introductory section lacks an explanation of alphabetical order. John Grisewood and Angela Crawley's The Kingfisher First Dictionary (2004) is also aimed at this audience but its definitions lack consistency, and some readers may find the layout confusing. Primary Dictionary has many uses: for children and parents to peruse together, for instruction, and for children to browse through and mull over. A gift to budding wordsmiths.–Ellen Loughran, Library Consultant, Brooklyn, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This dictionary for ages four to seven is crafted in a lighthearted style that can only be described as entertaining. Unlike typical early reader dictionaries of one-syllable and four- or five-letter words, this one has entries for concepts such as the words worry and terrible in addition to the usual nouns and verbs.

Each page generally has three or four definitions and almost as many illustrations. Font size is large enough to keep early readers interested. Headwords are highlighted in a contrasting color from the definitions. Definitions include the elements one expects to find in a dictionary (though not necessarily one for this level)--parts of speech, synonyms, antonyms, usage examples, cross-references to related words, and word histories. The entry for the word fairy includes historical roots from Old French and Latin. In addition, there may be stories and poems. The Sleeping Beauty story is condensed to two sentences, each using the word fairy. The definition of science includes information on different branches of sciences; for example, "Chemistry is the science of what things are made of." There are dozens of corny word jokes and puns that children love scattered randomly through the book, such as the well-worn "Why are fish so smart? They travel in schools."

A "How to use the dictionary" page for readers is followed by a two-page preface for parents and educators. The back of the dictionary contains a section called "Spelling Words and Word Functions^B." A two-page time line describes the evolution of the English language,^B referring to words in the dictionary by highlighting them in bold print.

Children will want to skim the pages just to read and amuse themselves and will learn the mechanics of a dictionary without even realizing it. There is not a hint of condescension to the reader, and for that reason, the dictionary would work well in the special classroom for older children who may have reading delays. This is a charming work that has been put together with care and purpose. Recommended for public and school libraries. Terri Tomchyshyn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Merriam-Webster (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877791740
• ISBN-13: 978-0877791744
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #603,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nearly 1,000 entries with age-appropriate definitions, June 14, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary (Hardcover)

Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary is an illustrated dictionary for young readers ages 4-7. Filled with nearly 1,000 entries with age-appropriate definitions, uses in context, brief histories of the word's origin, and references to stories, fairy tales, nursery rhymes and more celebrating the words, Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary is an educational delight. Enhanced with the poetry of and artwork of children's literature "superstar" Ruth Heller, Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary is an ideal teaching tool for the precocious young reader.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific dictionary for 5 - 7 year olds!, November 20, 2006

By 

L. R. Travis "lotsoftreasure" (Mansfield, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary (Hardcover)

As a teacher of kindergarten and first grade, I heartily recommend this dictionary for the primary age group. This dictionary is aimed at 5 - 7 year olds and is a wonderful resource. It has around 2000 entries, but does not pretend to cover the complete vocabulary of children this age. It is, however, rich in content and appealing in format and appearance. (The illustrations are by Ruth Heller, one of my favorite illustrators for children's books.) The entries include fascinating facts about the origins of words. This dictionary includes figurative meanings, idiomatic expressions and language oddities. It is an excellent resource for introducing the use of dictionaries.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not helpful for us, April 25, 2006

By 

Steph "Homeschool Mommy" (Wisconisn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary (Hardcover)

I have a 6yo and we have tried to use this dictionary whenever she asks the "What does ____ mean?". So far not one of the words she has asked about has been in there and I have owned it for over a year! I think it is great for just leizure reading and discovery of a 5-7yo but for a true elementary dictionary it does not have enough words or depth.