Basic English Dictionary: For Elementary and Pre-Intermediate Students

Pop culture, music, fashion, sports, money, and work terms are all included in this dictionary for elementary and pre-intermediate students of English. Using easy-to-understand language, this reference defines over 5,000 terms. Each entry features a pronunciation guide, a simple definition, and an example sentence that shows how the word is used. Common expressions are highlighted and explained with examples, and notes on irregular forms, constructions, and easily confused words are provided.

Grade 4-6-This British paperback dictionary in a two-column format has a crisp, clean look. The key word is in a large, blue sans serif font, while the actual definition is in a black, smaller typeface. More than 11,000 definitions include pronunciations using symbols and boldfaced, italicized example sentences. There are occasional notes on irregular verbs or easily confused words (mostly homophones). There are no illustrations; and there are no style guides or quick reference sections often found in American children's dictionaries. There is a definite British slant to the language: football is only defined in the European sense, i.e., soccer; money terms are defined in pounds and pence. There are no cross-references between British and American spellings (e.g., pajamas is entered only as pyjamas). Phonetic symbols are slightly different than in American dictionaries and are only given on the page preceding the first page of definitions. All in all, American children would be better served by The American Heritage Children's Dictionary (1998), DK Merriam-Webster's Children's Dictionary (2000), Scholastic Children's Dictionary (1996), or Webster's New World Children's Dictionary (1999), all of which have more entries and more special features.
Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
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