Tag: reference

Collins Australian Dictionary

Is a lactivist:

a) A strong advocate of breast-feeding as opposed to bottle-feeding?
b) A nurse specialising in lactation issues for mothers of newborns?
c) A small duct in the corner of the eye where tears flow from?

If you don’t know, then perhaps you’d benefit from the newly released ninth edition of the Collins Australian Dictionary (Incidentally, the answer is A).

Lactivist is just one of hundreds of new words included in this new edition, but the new words are not the only thing that is new, because as well as being published in book form, the dictionary is newly available online. Users can choose to find a word or definition in the print version, or by searching the full dictionary online, or through Collins’ WAP site using a mobile phone. They can also download a copy to their desktop.

With words printed in blue font, and definitions in black, the dictionary is visually easy to search, and notes on usage are added where relevant. For example, following the definition for the word gargantuan, a usage note points out that some people believe the word should only be used in connection with food – ie a gargantuan meal or his gargantuan appetite.

Whilst smaller pocket dictionaries can be handy, no home or office should be without a comprehensive dictionary such as this one.

Collins Australian Dictionary, 9th Edition
Collins, 2007

Best Baby Names From Australia and New Zealand

Looking for a name for your forthcoming bundle of joy? Want something a little different than Adam or Matthew or Sarah? The Collins Gem Best baby Namesoffers more than 1200 names from around the world, from Abby to Zygmunta and from Aaron to Zygmunt. In between there are plenty of choices. What about Mila (meaning loveable), of Slavonic origin? Or Harun, an Arabic name meaning ‘exalted’?

An introduction gives some pointers about how to choose a name and a calendar reference offers a boy’s and a girl’s name for every day of the year.

This pocket sized offering is sure to be a help for parents struggling with this important task.

Best Baby Names For Australia & New Zealand, by Cecily Dynes
Collins Gem, 2005

The Macmillan Children's Atlas

Map reading and atlas skills are something to be encouraged in primary school aged children, but often the complexities of world atlases put them out of the reach of children’s skills. The Macmillan Children’s Atlas is child-freindly and accessible, but not so watered-down as to make it patronising or of little use.

The first thirty two pages of this sturdy hard-cover offering are devoted to atlas skills, an explanation of world weather, geography, satellite imaging and more, as well as world physical and political maps.

The rest of the atlas focusses on each of the six populated continents (the seventh, Antartica, is covered in the introductory section). Within each of these six sections, the regions of that continent are given two double page spreads, including a map, a listing of each country in that region (complete with an illustration of its flag, its current population and its capital city) and a discussion of the land use, natural features, traditions, people and history of the region.

The atlas is full of colourful illustrations, interesting facts and accessible information. It is completed with a Gazetteer (geographical index), the use of which is a key part in developing atlas skills.

This is an outstanding offering which would be an excellent home reference as an aid for school projects and for general interest. It would also be an invaluable school and library resource.

Tha Macmillan Children’s Atlas
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2004