The American Heritage® First Dictionary is written especially for children 5–8 years old. The meanings of more than 2,000 age-appropriate words are made clear in easy-to-read definitions and example sentences enhanced by 550 full-color photographs and drawings that appeal to today's visually sophisticated children.

This new edition has been entirely redesigned into a two column format. It’s now paperback and has a larger trim size, making it lightweight yet still easy for young eyes to read. The entry words correlate with the vocabulary found in the curricula for the early primary grades, and the book includes more than 100 new words such as creature, escape, parachute, and splash.

An essential resource for kids, the dictionary features hundreds of engaging feature notes that show synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, and related words. These notes have been color-coded based on category, a feature new to this edition. It also includes a guide to using the dictionary that is useful for students, parents, and teachers alike, along with an instructive Phonics and Spelling Guide to help develop strong reading and writing skills.