Ultimate Visual Dictionary

Whether you want to see inside a volcano, understand every component of an engine, or learn the difference between a stegosaurus and a stegoceras, the Ultimate Visual Dictionary will reveal all.

Presenting a huge range of information from a unique perspective, with more than 33,000 terms explained and expertly annotated, the Visual Dictionary allows readers to analyze a multitude of objects in unparalleled detail.

Merriam-Webster's version of a visual dictionary comes from the same team responsible for the Firefly Visual Dictionary (2000) and looks almost identical to that earlier work. The big change here is that "real dictionary definitions" have been added, so that when we are shown a labeled picture of an arcade or a bobsled, we can read a definition as well. Some 6,000 pieces of artwork and 20,000 terms are grouped under 17 general categories. DK's Visual Dictionary groups 30,000 terms under 14 headings and uses primarily photographs (6,000 of them) plus 1,000 illustrations. The DK dictionary has a more sumptuous look, but some of the entries, such as those for the densely labeled "Competition Motorcycles" and "A Ship of the Line," can be confusing. If a library has to choose, it's the difference between stilettos and sensible shoes. DK is sexier, but Merriam-Webster, with its clear illustrations and added definitions, is probably a better educational tool. Susan Awe
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