FIRST WORDS…AND LOTS MORE!

This multilingual picture dictionary features vocabulary for a plethora of useful subjects: food, sports, clothing, entertainment, electronics, toys, and, as the title says, “lots more!”

In an increasingly multicultural world, and given the numbers of migrants making fresh starts in new countries, this book could be profoundly useful in many families and in elementary school libraries as well. English-language terms for each depicted item appear first, in eye-catching white type and a larger font, followed by the Spanish, French, and Arabic equivalents. Arabic words are spelled out in Arabic characters; their pronunciation is indicated phonetically below, in Roman letters. Many listings are straightforward, but there are strokes of whimsy throughout: Entries include “egg,” “broken egg,” and “another egg”; “apple (the worm likes it too!)”; and “milk (spilled…but no worries).” There is a section on bugs and animals and one on plants and items found in gardens and fields, including, unfortunately, litter. “Pull tab,” “old shoe,” and “mitten (found)” appear, as do commonly composted items like fish bones, eggshells, and banana peels. In a section on the bathroom, a roll of toilet paper winds back and forth down one page and across the next. Musical instruments and kitchen items appear as well. A spread of dangerous things—“little knife (sharp!)”; “cigarettes (yuck)”—includes an emphatic “NO! NO! NO!” in all four languages highlighted against a jagged red callout. There is no index.

A valuable tool across a variety of settings.