The children's visual dictionary

Each double-page spread is based on a general topic, such as sports, modes of transportation, and various forms of wildlife, and utilizes clear color photographs and occasional drawings to identify key words within that subject area. Many of the terms would have benefited from definitions, but the book will nevertheless be helpful for beginning readers. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Each illustrated spread in this book shows activities grouped under a general heading: ``All about people,'' ``Traveling by air,'' ``Going to school,'' ``Sports,'' ``Mini-beasts,'' ``Food and eating,'' etc. A few sentences appear on a topic, along with a large central full-color photograph (some of which are partially lost in the gutter) and a dozen or more small related photos and illustrations with brief captions. The colorful, oversized format includes hundreds of pictures and, by the editor's count, ``more than 2,500 nouns, verbs, and adjectives.'' Some selections seem of limited use: ``yacht heeling,'' ``furrow press,'' or ``microlite buzzing,'' while others are decidedly British: ``inflatable dinghy,'' or ``cricketer.'' The index gives access to most words, but does not define them. Still, there is a lot to look at, and much that is odd enough to attract young viewers. Fun, not essential. (Nonfiction. 8-10)