Parents, prepare for your kids to become logophiles (that means word lovers, by the way)! Their vocabulary is about to expand and become even more ginormous because this fall, dictionary-maker Merriam-Webster is launching Merriam-Webster Kids, a new imprint that will publish books for kids. The new brand is starting with two books ready to equip kids of all ages with a heightened vocabulary.
Merriam-Webster’s 150 First Words was written for babies and toddlers by speech pathologist Claire Laties Davis and the word experts at Merriam-Webster. The board book is designed to improve kids’ language skills through the repetition of simple phrases. It introduces 150 words for everyday objects and activities, mixed with playful illustrations depicting mealtime, playtime, and other familiar daily routines. Search-and-finds within every scene also encourage kids to hunt for different items and learn their names.
The second book from Merriam-Webster Kids has a big title to convey the huge amount of content packed inside! Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: 366 Elevating Utterances to Stretch Your Cranium and Tickle Your Humerus is made for kids age 8 and up. This high-energy book is packed with daily fascinating words, encouraging kids to incorporate them into daily conversations. Future word masters can read fun facts, marvel at illustrations, and follow along with zany stories for each word. The book also features 12 “Story of the Month” tales, which utilize all of the words kids learned in the previous month. Each Story of the Month features an audio download to hear the stories narrated by celebrities, including Rachel Bloom, David Harbour, and Soledad O’Brien.
Both books will be available this October, and future Merriam-Webster Kids titles are coming your way, including activity books, picture dictionaries, and storybooks! Families can keep their eyes peeled for upcoming announcements on merriam-webster.com.
