The American Heritage® First Dictionary is written especially for 5–8 year olds. 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 brand 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 this new edition has over 100 new words and senses, including creature, escape, parachute, and splash.

The book features hundreds of engaging feature notes that show synonyms, opposites, rhyming words, and related words. These notes have been color-coded based on category, a feature new to this edition. The front matter includes a guide to using the dictionary that is useful for students, parents, and teachers alike. An instructive Phonics and Spelling Guide is included in the back-matter section to develop solid reading and writing skills.