Children's dictionary

[Earthmerlin]

Any recommendations for a children's dictionary? One for 7 years old (and up)? Lots of pictures are welcome but also I'd also like the beginnings of the traditional entry-word format (part of speech, etymology, etc.). A balance of pictures & written definitions.

[Hobbes]

I just got the Scholastic Children's Dictionary at a library sale for 50¢ (thrilling!). I'm impressed with it - the entries are clear and there are enough pictures to be appealing to young kids.

 

ETA: there is a basic pronunciation key after most words and it shows part of speech

Edited December 3, 2016 by indigoellen@gmail.com

[Farrar]

I like the MacMillan one. It's actually the one I had as a kid too - just way updated. I think it's the most browsing friendly for younger kids but also has things like pronunciation and parts of speech. It doesn't have word roots, which I always thought was too bad - it might have been nice to include it just for some words that have a more obvious connection. But overall, a good one for early elementary and dictionary games and so forth. It's inviting because it has a lot of pictures.

 

When my kids outgrew it, we moved to a "real" dictionary.

[MrsRobinson]

I agree with Farrar, Macmillan is great for browsing. My kids will lay on the floor with it for a looooong time and chatter endlessly at dinner about everything they learned. My dd is using it for dictionary skills too.

[Hunter]

My goals for a beginner dictionary are very different than yours. I use the Merriam-Webster Concise Large Print Dictionary. It doesn't include much more than a concise definition and prononunciation.

 

When I'm asked what a word means or how to pronounce it, I like to say, "look it up!" and know a beginning student can indeed do that. Once they can use the Large Print dictionary it is easy later on to transition to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate.

[MeganW]

We really like our Merriam-Webster, but order one level higher than kids' age.  We have the Intermediate, which is listed as for Grades 6-8, and we got at the beginning of 4th grade and it is perfect.  There are NOT a lot of pictures, though, maybe 2ish per 2 page spread.