Title: The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
Author: Jen Byrant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Publisher & Year of Publication: Eerdman, 2014
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Ages 8-11
Summary: The book is a biography of Peter Mark Roget. He had many talents and even at a young age he began making lists of vocabulary words. His parents did not understand his fascination with lists, or scribbles as they called it, but he believed they were important. After becoming a doctor, he continued to work on his lists at night and published his first work in 1805. At age 73, 1852, he published his thesaurus.
Evaluation/Reflection: I found this book fascinating, as I love using a thesaurus. The illustrations used also include synonyms for words. It is an fact-filled book that cleverly intertwines the history and product.
Memorable Literary Element: The book has a combination of both narrative and poetry text.
Illustrations: This book includes watercolor paintings and mixed collage artwork.
Review: “Those who have relied upon a thesaurus . . . will gain a greater appreciation for the reference tool in this beautifully designed picture book biography of its creator, Peter Roget. . . . Busy and exuberant, Sweet's charming watercolor illustrations, layered over collages of vintage images and fonts, capture Roget's passion for classification while also providing readers new opportunities for discovery. . . . Expertly researched and well written, Bryant's narrative not only details the creation of the thesaurus; it also conveys a sense of Roget the man. . . . An excellent illustrated biography.” – School Library Journal
Promotion Idea: As students learn about Roget’s thesaurus, students could create a list of their own favorite words to be displayed on a class or hallway bulletin board.
Acquisition: Public library, or available on Amazon for $13.50 (hardcover).
Author: Jen Byrant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Publisher & Year of Publication: Eerdman, 2014
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Ages 8-11
Summary: The book is a biography of Peter Mark Roget. He had many talents and even at a young age he began making lists of vocabulary words. His parents did not understand his fascination with lists, or scribbles as they called it, but he believed they were important. After becoming a doctor, he continued to work on his lists at night and published his first work in 1805. At age 73, 1852, he published his thesaurus.
Evaluation/Reflection: I found this book fascinating, as I love using a thesaurus. The illustrations used also include synonyms for words. It is an fact-filled book that cleverly intertwines the history and product.
Memorable Literary Element: The book has a combination of both narrative and poetry text.
Illustrations: This book includes watercolor paintings and mixed collage artwork.
Review: “Those who have relied upon a thesaurus . . . will gain a greater appreciation for the reference tool in this beautifully designed picture book biography of its creator, Peter Roget. . . . Busy and exuberant, Sweet's charming watercolor illustrations, layered over collages of vintage images and fonts, capture Roget's passion for classification while also providing readers new opportunities for discovery. . . . Expertly researched and well written, Bryant's narrative not only details the creation of the thesaurus; it also conveys a sense of Roget the man. . . . An excellent illustrated biography.” – School Library Journal
Promotion Idea: As students learn about Roget’s thesaurus, students could create a list of their own favorite words to be displayed on a class or hallway bulletin board.
Acquisition: Public library, or available on Amazon for $13.50 (hardcover).