Noah Webster: Weaver of Words
This highly illustrated, large-format book presents the life of Noah Webster (1758–1843) from his early years, when he neglected work on the family farm in favor of reading, to his later accomplishments, including an Americanized spelling book. Though his influence on political thought and education was notable in his day, he is best remembered for his dictionary of the American language. Shea’s succinct text, longer than that of a picture book and with a reading level suitable for junior-high students, offers a well-organized and clearly written account of Webster’s life, studded with memorable facts and supported by informative sidebars. Rich in color and detail, the oil paintings represent the period well. Though a couple of scenes show a little awkwardness in the relation of one figure to another, the portrayal of individual people and their surroundings is often very fine. Back matter includes an afterword, a chronology, and lists of primary and secondary sources. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan