W Is For Webster: Noah Webster and his American Dictionary

by Tracey Fern, Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)

Overview

From an early age, Noah Webster was an odd fellow who liked to talk big and loved learning. He thought America needed its own national language and knew he was just the man to create it. He started with a speller, including everyday words like "scab," "grub," and "mop," and moved on to create a small dictionary. He rode around on a horse, selling his books by hand. Then Noah decided to compile a complete and comprehensive dictionary of American English. He thought the book would take him five years to finish. It took twenty, but his dictionary today is the second-most printed book in the English language.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466895126
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	11/10/2015
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	104 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Tracey Fern is the author of several other picture books, including Dare the Wind and Barnum's Bones, both Junior Library Guild selections. She lives in West Newton, Massachusetts.
Boris Kulikov is the critically acclaimed illustrator of many children's books, including Max's Words by Kate Banks. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

A solid introduction to America’s most famous lexicographer.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A visually fantastical portrait of Noah Webster.” —Publishers Weekly

“An engaging, diverting read.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A fascinating look at the determination and vision that led one man to create an essential resource.” —Kirkus

Praise for Barnum's Bones:

“T. rex lovers will gobble it up, and seekers of easy biographies will be hot on their heels.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Tracey Fern ("Buffalo Music," "Pippo the Fool") turns a slice of a scientist's biography into an American adventure tale, describing how Brown and his rivals at other museums raced to find the best fossils and to discover new species.” —New York Times

“…truly breathtaking. This will captivate the masses of kids whose jaws drop in the presence of hulking fossils.” —Booklist, starred review

“Fern fills her text with all the salient facts but uses a breezy, humorous, awestruck voice that strikes just the right tone in telling the story of this fascinating, quirky scientist.” —Kirkus, starred review

From the Publisher

2015-08-12
Noah Webster's path to creating his iconic dictionary is brought to life in this picture book. Noah Webster, Fern tells readers, was "an odd fellow" in both looks and interests. He was a tall, skinny child with "brilliant red hair" who used big words and wished his one-room school in Connecticut were in session longer and gave out homework. In 1774, his father, aware that Noah would make a terrible farmer, sent him to Yale College instead. During Noah's time at Yale, the Revolutionary War began, and when it was over, Webster decided that what the fledgling nation of America needed was its own national language. He wrote a small "blue-backed speller" that simplified the spelling of some English words and included some strictly American words. Its success propelled Webster to begin work on a full-fledged American dictionary—a task he wouldn't complete for nearly 20 years. Fern, whose narrative also imparts the idea that holding true to one's passion can result in significant achievements, realistically portrays Webster's discouragement as well as his determination—and his prickly personality. Kulikov's illustrations, with their 18th-century feel and creative medley of scenes that encourage readers to look closely to "read" their meanings, cleverly interpret the text. A fascinating look at the determination and vision that led one man to create an essential resource. (author's note, sources) (Informational picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews