The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards) Series
on Goodreads (6,620)
What’s inside...
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus is a book that provides an in-depth look at the life and work of Peter Mark Roget, the creator of Roget's Thesaurus. The narrative delves into Roget's early fascination with words and his lifelong pursuit to systematically categorize and list them. As a shy child who preferred books over social interactions, Roget started compiling lists of words from a young age. His endeavor eventually culminated in the creation of one of the most significant reference books ever published. The biography highlights Roget's journey from a solitary boy to a man whose organizational efforts with language left a lasting impact on libraries and households worldwide.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-13
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Peter Roget created the thesaurus, and how do you think it might have helped people?
What are some of your favorite words, and why do they intrigue you?
How do you feel words help us communicate our thoughts and feelings?
Can you think of a situation where having just the right word was really important?
How might a thesaurus be useful to you in school or in your hobbies?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share their favorite words from the book and explore their meanings together.
Discuss the importance of communication and how different words can change the meaning of a sentence.
Suggest creating a mini-thesaurus with your child, collecting synonyms for everyday words they use.
After reading, use a thesaurus together to discover new words and enrich your child's vocabulary.
Praise your child’s curiosity as they explore new words, fostering a positive and rewarding learning experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Peter Roget shows a great deal of perseverance through his dedication to creating the thesaurus, demonstrating to readers the importance of persistence in achieving a goal.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from Roget’s example to keep striving towards their goals, whether it be in school projects, learning a new skill, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: The power of words
Explanation: The book highlights how Roget's love of words and their meanings helped him to express his thoughts and feelings more clearly, showcasing the importance of vocabulary.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to enhance their own vocabulary and find more precise ways to express themselves verbally and in writing.
Example Lesson: Organizing thoughts
Explanation: Roget started his thesaurus as a personal tool to help him organize his thoughts and ideas, which is portrayed as an innovative and useful way to handle information.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to categorize and organize their own thoughts and study notes, which can help improve their clarity and study skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book illustrates Roget’s creative process in collecting synonyms and structuring the thesaurus, encouraging an appreciation for creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can be motivated to think creatively in their problem-solving strategies or in their hobbies and projects.
Example Lesson: Lifelong learning
Explanation: Roget's engagement with words and meanings throughout his life underscores the importance and joy of continuous learning and curiosity.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to remain curious and engaged in learning new things throughout their life, keeping their minds sharp and their attitudes positive.