The creators behind the bestselling Storytellers Dictionary bring us My Epic Life Dictionary for children ages 4-8 years. Sure it’s a dictionary but it’s also a handbook for any child (and parent) wanting to develop vocabulary, have a laugh and live epically.
As parents there is a long period until we can have a conversation with our offspring. An endless wait filled with cooing and babbling until eventually the first words come out; glorious words which make you want to jump with joy and delight. You’re one step closer to having meaningful chit chatter. The words then turn to sentences; weird and wonderfully strung sentences filled with candid and naive creativity. Then finally the two way conversations can take place. We converse about trees and moons; animals and books, muddy puddles, leaves and ofcourse Peppa Pig.
Words give the world around us colour, meaning and the ability to communicate and express ourselves. So I was beyond excited to be offered the opportunity to review My Epic Life Dictionary with my soon to turn three-year old conversation buddy. It’s safe to say the book has become our favourite bedtime reading (and not only as a sleep delay tactic as it’s longer read than the Very Hungry Caterpillar!).
Designed by literacy experts, the book is a colourful and entertaining way to introduce children to new and more complex words alongside the Hollywood illustrations from the team behind Hotel Transylvania and Madagascar. The illustrations intrigued our little Londoner much more than I expected as he inspected various characters and their expressions intensely.
The words in the book have been curated from relevant, global curriculum lists for ages four to eight but could easily be read with younger kids too. Our favourite section is around emotions where we create our own bedtime show by acting out the various words; like wailing, howling, pouting and crying.
The dictionary gives children the words they need to express themselves in all parts of life from food to philosophy, maths to careers, making a big mucky mess through to the clean up. And there’s a whole section on STEM and the future of technology.
We are two weeks in and already I am noticing changes in my son’s vocabulary. The use of longer more complex words, more understanding of emotions and hopefully more empathy..although presently he still howls hysterically when I act out being angry or crying.
Sofia Fenichell, CEO and founder of Mrs Wordsmith said:
“Kids read our dictionaries cover to cover. They are learning while they are laughing. Epic Life Word Book isn’t a dictionary, it’s a story-rich word book for life. Kids will learn everything from counting in 5s and 10s to words to describe STEM jobs. We hope they keep laughing. If you can engage a child, you can unlock the learning pathway.”
Check out Mrs Wordsmith site to buy the book or find out about some of the other cool sounding products they have in store (including a word a day dictionary!)