Merriam-Webster's Colorful Primary Dictionary Completes Company's Line of Age-Specific References

Announcing Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary illustrated by Ruth Heller

SPRINGFIELD, MASS., April 2005 — Merriam-Webster has quite a treat in store for very young word-lovers this June, when it publishes its brand-new Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary—a treasure trove of word magic beautifully illustrated with the captivating artwork of beloved children's author and illustrator Ruth Heller. Especially created for children ages 5-7 in grades K-2, this unique beginner's dictionary introduces young readers to a lively and relevant collection of almost 3,000 words, using nearly 1,000 entries, and is the latest addition to the company's acclaimed line of age-appropriate school references. The language experts at Merriam-Webster cover basic dictionary skills including alphabetization, spelling, pronunciation, use of synonyms and antonyms, and using words in context-while an added dimension of enjoyment is provided by more than 700 full-color illustrations.

Designed to pique the curiosity and stretch the imaginations of young readers, as well as to build their interest and confidence in using a dictionary, Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary incorporates multiple approaches to the presentation of language information. Every page of the book springs to life with engaging artwork, riddles, poems, short stories, jokes, and all sorts of intriguing information about how words come to be, how they change in form and meaning, and how they connect to one another.

Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary is designed to be a unique tool for introducing young minds to the wonders of the English language. Its colorful pages will invite new readers of all levels to return to the book again and again and to cultivate important communication skills at their own pace. For younger readers, it can be like a favorite storybook to be shared and read together with parents, teachers, and caregivers. Older and more developed readers will enjoy exploring the book all on their own—developing a love of language that will last a lifetime.

Merriam-Webster's Primary Dictionary and the company's other new and recently revised student dictionaries and thesauruses are all designed to help students and educators meet the curriculum and assessment guidelines that have been established by national organizations of educators, including the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, and state educational agencies throughout the country.

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
Merriam-Webster Inc. acquired the rights to revise and publish Noah Webster's dictionaries in 1843. Since then, Merriam-Webster has maintained an ongoing commitment to innovation, scholarship, and love of language. Today, the company continues as the leader in both print and electronic language reference publishing with reference products, learning tools, and word games.

Ruth Heller
Ruth Heller, called a "superstar" of children's literature by San Francisco Magazine, wrote and illustrated a total of 23 fiction and nonfiction children's books. Throughout her life, she was a frequent guest speaker at schools and libraries, where she loved teaching children about grammar and nature and entertaining them with her detailed, colorful drawings and delightful word play.