When I think “children’s dictionary,” I think large type and dumbed-down simple words and definitions. Well, I’m glad that I actually took a look at it, because the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary (2010 Edition) is anything but. It’s a 799 page hefty reference tome with simple, yet complete definitions of a lot of words. It also includes reference sections: a thesaurus, a few maps, a guide to the U.S. presidents, and flags of the U.S. and the world.
I love dictionaries. I admit that I often go online to check a word if I’m writing I’m on my computer, but I like using “real” dictionaries as well, and I definitely encourage my children to go “old school” with these types of things. Although this is “just” a dictionary, I can see children being captivated by the pictures or graphics alongside the word that they are looking up, and actually browsing around a bit.
Earlier this week, my 6-year-old son Kyle was asking me what “harmless” meant. I tried to take advantage of the parent as teacher role, asking him if he knew what “harmful” meant (No). Or “harm”? (No again, with the protest “If I ask you a question, just answer it. Don’t ask me a different question.”).
Had I sent him to this dictionary for the answer, he would have found out that it meant “Not able or likely to cause injury or damage, as in a harmless joke.” That simple definition could be a springboard for a conversation in ethics about what a harmless joke might be, versus one that would cause damage.
Or if I left him alone, he might have been captivated by the picture of a harp, the word history box explaining harmony, or the picture of a hatchet on the facing page (Oh yeah, it would totally be the hatchet).
To find out more, visit the product information page (and a great direct-buy price) at Scholastic HERE.
- One grand prize winner will receive a back-to-school prize pack of a $50 Target Gift Card for Back to School Supplies and a copy of the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary.
- Five additional winners will receive a copy of the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary.
Winners must have a U.S. shipping address. Just leave a comment if you’d like to win. We’ll announce the winners on September 1. THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
For more great children’s books that will increase your kids’ love of learning, check out the giveaway at 5 Minutes for Mom of 3 awesome DK Science titles.
yes, please enter me to win! I love scholastic!
I would love to have this dictionary for my son, he’s starting school this year and is very excited. Please enter me in this giveaway.
I had my own childrens dictionary as a child and I LOVED reading through it to learn new words. It would be great to give Kiddo that same experience. Thanks for the giveaway!
I remember teaching my oldest daughter how to use a “real” dictionary after she kept asking me how to spell words. She (she’s 19 now) said how will I find them if I don’t know how to spell them. My answer: Sound them out. I will definitely do the same for my younger three children – all of whom are just learning to read. I would love to win this for them because even though we have their sister’s first dictionary I’m sure there have been many changes and new additions. 🙂
I’d love this for home. I’ve used Scholastic dictionaries with my students, and now my son is starting kindergarten and could use one as well! Thanks!
I love Scholastic! Thanks for entering me.
thanks for the chance
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
I love this dictionary, it just hasn’t been in our budget to buy a copy. I would love to win a copy. 🙂
Sign me up! I’m love getting educational books to read with kids.
I would love to win this book and GC! Thanks.
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like to win. I need a good Children’s Dictionary!
Amy @ Missional Mama
Amy–you were the grand prize winner! Please send me your shipping address.
hope I win!
Both of my kids would love the Scholastic Dictionary. It looks like it is full of fun science and animal facts.
I would love to win this book. Dictionaries are so important for learning.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
What a great giveaway! This would be a wonderful resource for our home school!
I am gonna have to add this to our Homeschool wishlist, it looks like great fun!
Would love to win this!!
Tammy–You were one of the dictionary winners! Please send me your shipping info.
Where should I e-mail you? I don’t want to post my address here. Thanks! 🙂
I’m a teacher and would love to add the Scholastic dictionary to my classroom!
I had a Scholastic dictionary as a child and would like my own children to have one too! Awesome product!
You were one of the dictionary winners! Please send me your shipping info.
This looks like a great Dictionary!
This would be wonderful for our grandson who is starting 2nd grade!
I’m always telling my children to “look it up” so now they can, if we win this!
I would so love this dictionary for my super inquisitive grandson!
Great back-to-school giveaway! Thanks for the chance to enter to win!
I’d love to win this for my daughter to use! Thanks for the chance to win!
bleatham*at*gmail.com
Wow! This is awesome!
This would be great resource to have. Thanks for offering. Of course the $50 Target GC would be nice too 🙂
Blessings!
My favorite part of this post: “If I ask you a question, just answer it.” Ha! I get that, too. 🙂
Please enter me in the drawing — I’d love to win!
Yeah, he didn’t say it rudely, but I could tell he didn’t like having to think about it!!
What an awesome addition to anyone’s library. And the perfect thing for my new little reader who could use to learn some new words for journaling. 🙂
I would love to have a copy of this for my daughters.
We have a sesame street dictionary and my daughter loves browsing the entries. We’d love to win this book so she could learn a few more new words!
Any Scholastic book is worth having and the extra tossed in just makes it nicer.
My son is starting kindergarten this fall so this book would be perfect…
I could soooooo use this. My 3 yo daughter asks me the definitions of words I use all the time…of course, its never the easiest ones to define. A little help for me… Thanks!
I would love this for my boys.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
You got it Wendy!
You were one of the dictionary winners. Please send me your shipping info.
Thanks for the chance to win:)
Dictionaries are cool. Thanks.
Would love to win this for my girls – thanks for reviewing it!
My 6-year-old was just asking me yesterday what a Dictionary is. =)
We luv Scholastic and their book fairs, thanks.
My son has such a love for school and reading. I think this dictionary would come in handy. His mind desires knowledge.
This dictionary would be great for both of my sons.
You were one of the dictionary winners! Please send me your shipping info, and we’ll get it out to you!
I would love to win thank you
Jamie–You were one of the dictionary winners! Please send me your shipping info.