Disney's My Very First Dictionary

Provides illustrated definitions for 476 words.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- The Disney name suggests immediate success, but even proven winners can bomb sometimes. This offering has nothing to recommend it outside of the colorful illustrations featuring all of the popular and familiar characters. The letters of the alphabet are represented by between 20 and 40 words (except, of course, for the "q," "x," "y," and "z.") Some of these words are accompanied by illustrations to define them and rhymes to explain them. The rhymes run from innocuous to downright awkward (Slip is "Something not on purpose tried,/ A slip is an accidental slide.") Moveover, in this particular case, the illustration only adds confusion as readers see Goofy tripping over a prone giraffe's neck. Even the letters that introduce the definitions are poorly executed. Jefferds uses a variety of print fonts, which makes some letters difficult to identify. The "N" and the "T" look more like squiggles; they are also placed at peculiar angles on the pages. It is hard to imagine any student finding this a useful learning tool. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
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