Peter Roget, the man who penned the first and most famous of all thesauruses, grew up a shy, intellectually precocious child who loved ideas, and words, and lists. “The lists helped him remember his lessons. They also gave him something to do when Mother peppered him with questions. 'Mama, I’m fine.’ Although to be honest, Peter thought fine wasn’t quite the right word.” Later he was influenced by a scientist named Linnaeus. Still later, he found himself considering how wonderful it would be to be able to choose from among a list of words to find just the right one to express what he was thinking and feeling. So he started working on what would eventually become his thesaurus (Greek for “treasure house”). He was also a doctor, and a husband, and a father. And still shy. But he was eager to share his love of words and ideas with the world. Jen Bryant’s lively picture book account of Roget is full of right words, carefully chosen and delightfully combined. Melissa Sweet’s mixed-media collage art has myriad intricacies and engaging details to pour over, including elements from Roget’s notebooks and words from the first edition of his thesaurus. She also illustrates scenes of Roget’s life drawn from Bryant’s narrative with a combination of wit and sensitivity. (Ages 6–10)

"Words, Peter learned, were powerful things. And when he put them in long, neat rows, he felt as if the world itself clicked into order."

For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions -- and it wasn't long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn't write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and used it to organize his ideas and find exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

This book is an inviting, visually engrossing portrayal of Peter Mark Roget and the creation of the thesaurus. Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget's life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.

Awards and Recognition

Parents' Choice Foundation Parents' Choice Award Gold Winner (2015)
American Library Association Caldecott Honor Book (2015)
American Library Association Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (2015)
American Library Association Notable Children's Books (2015)
Junior Library Guild Selection
2014 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature Finalist
2014 American Booksellers Association Best Books for Children Catalog
Society of Illustrators, "The Original Art" annual exhibition (2014)
California Reading Association Eureka! Honor Award (2014)
2015-2016 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
School Library Journal Best Books of 2014
Kirkus Best of 2014
Publishers Weekly Best Books (2014)
Horn Book Fanfare (2014)
Huffington Post Best Picture Books of 2014: Best Biography (Non-Artist)
New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2014
Booklist 2014 Editors' Choice: Books for Youth
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2015
2015-2016 Georgia Children's Picturebook Award Finalist
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 2015 Golden Kite Award
National Council of Teachers of English 2015 Orbis Pictus Honor
The Children's Literature Assembly 2015 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts List
Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year, 2015 Edition
Teachers' Choice 2015 Reading List
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) 2015 Young Readers Selection