A Visual Dictionary of a Colonial Community

This colorful dictionary is a treasure trove of illustrated information that will become a standard for readers of all ages. Topics include - colonial houses - a plantation and its outbuildings - wood and metalworkers and their tools - shops and shopkeepers - transportation - the apothecary, milliner, wigmaker, and many more

Grade 3–5—These titles are derived from former titles by the author including the "Historic Communities," "Life in the Old West," "Colonial People," and "Native Nations of North America" series (all Crabtree). Each volume is divided into 15 chapter spreads that vary widely but generally focus on aspects of daily life, including clothing, food, homes, and work and other activities. The treatments are cursory, particularly in Native Communities, which attempts to cover the entire North American continent. Each spread has an introductory paragraph and includes an assortment of small and spot illustrations. Terms are defined in paragraphs or in captions accompanying the many color drawings. Labeling these titles as dictionaries is somewhat deceptive. Owners of the earlier series won't need them, and others should consider North American Indian (DK, 2005), Joy Masoff's Colonial Times (Scholastic, 2000), and titles from Sally Senzell Isaacs's "Picture the Past" series (Heinemann Library) instead.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
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