Product Description

Garfield makes using a dictionary fun and easy! Nearly every spread presents an entertaining comic strip illustrating the use of a featured word. It includes over 65,000 meanings, and Garfield's Daffy Definitions. Great for all ages!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #377711 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 800 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780877796268
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
A very good dictionary in all respects, upper elementary student fans of Garfield will find the paperback format a useful backpack edition. Helpful features include fulsome explanatory notes, a list of foreign words and phrases, and a handbook of style. Authoritative, attractive, and easy to use. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Recommended winner.

Reviewed by Parents' Choice® 2000 -- From Parents' Choice®

About the Author

The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir, who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on September 24, 1847.

Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition, only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25 years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.

The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk, General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000 copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing companies. 

Customer Reviews

Children of all ages
This book has humor for all ages of people. It adds a humorous aspect to looking up words. I guarentee that if you like Garfield that you will love this book! There is a garfield comic on every page which uses one of the words on the page. It is used in a humorous context. You will never look at a dictionary the same again.

Nice dictionary, but meatier than you think
This is a serious dictionary, not a kids dictionary as you would be led to believe. Most pages have a Garfield cartoon with a highlighted word defined on that page. Sometimes I question the choice of words, because there would be a better word in the strip, but that's a minor complaint. I will warn you that this is a real adult sized dictionary with all the words you would expect in that type of book. So if you are buying it for your elementary school Garfield fan, you should be forewarned. Of course if they don't outgrow the Garfield fascination they can use it a long time!

A good dictionary - a great twist
This is actually one of the better middle to high school dictionaries out there. Readable font size, extensive word list, moderate definitions (not too little or too much detail).

Why this dictionary over others, though? Admittedly it's Garfield. Students have spent a lot more time "inside" this dictionary than others for obvious reasons. In this case it's ok. I'd recommend this dictionary to any parent/family member considering a dictionary for a middle or high school aged student.

Consider buying a used one too - for some reason there are always a lot of them for cheap!