Noah Webster and His Words

Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction

Webster’s American Dictionary is the second most popular book ever printed in English. But who was that Webster? Noah Webster (1758–1843) was a bookish Connecticut farm boy who became obsessed with uniting America through language. He spent twenty years writing two thousand pages to accomplish that, and the first 100 percent American dictionary was published in 1828 when he was seventy years old. This clever, hilariously illustrated account shines a light on early American history and the life of a man who could not rest until he’d achieved his dream. An illustrated chronology of Webster’s life makes this a picture perfect bi-og-ra-phy [noun: a written history of a person's life]. |

"This informative book would be a great addition to dictionary lessons or to studies of the formation of the United States."
—School Library Journal, starred review

"A good deal more fun than the subject might suggest."
—Booklist

"The volume is a wonderful success in introducing Webster in such a charming manner."
—Kirkus

"Ferris presents a unique and inspiring cradle-to-grave biography . . . [a] useful and entertaining volume."
—Horn Book

"The clever text, insertion of dictionary words, and hilarious illustrations make this a perfect book for everyone who loves words. This is a book to remember!"
—California Kids

"Engaging."
—Bulletin

"It's just as timely as old-timey — a charming book about a boy who preferred to read rather than do as his forefathers did."
—New York Times Book Review

"Delightful, educational, and completely fascinating."
—Huffington Post "What really singles out this picture book is its ability to incorporate definitions within the text without sounding contrived."
—EW.com

"A rousing success."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review