Designed specifically for Canadian children, this book introduces young readers to the magic workings of a dictionary. More sophisticated than a picture dictionary, yet still containing more than 300 illustrations, The Puffin Canadian Beginner's Dictionary teaches both vocabulary and dictionary skills, and has been completely revised and updated to include material relating to new technology and current words.

Intended primarily for six to nine year olds, the dictionary contains more than 6000 headwords, defined simply and clearly. Each sense of a word is numbered separately and begins on a fresh line. The words chosen for inclusion are those most likely to be needed by children in this age range. Accordingly, irregular or difficult plural and verbal forms have been included only in terms of their likely usage at this level. Examples of usage are provided wherever appropriate. Single pronunciation guides are given for words with difficult or ambiguous pronunciations. As well, two words per page spread are illustrated clearly and appealingly.

The Puffin Canadian Beginner's Dictionary also contains appendices filled with useful information for Canadian schoolchildren: lists of information about Canada's provinces and territories, including websites; geographical information; and biographical information about Canada's Olympians and Prime Ministers.

Ken Weber is Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto and the best-selling author of more than 40 educational and general interest books, including the popular Five-minute Mysteries series.

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