The ten content-based units in this new publication present information in a clear, well-organized format. The left page contains approximately twenty single-word or phrase entries and a small yet legible illustration. At the bottom of the page, theme words are connected to a grammatical structure, or supplementary information about the topic is provided. The right page is comprised of contextualized illustrations of the vocabulary presented on the left-side page. Although there is no numerical correlation between the vocabulary on the left page and the picture(s) on the right, the smaller illustration on the left page can be easily associated with the larger picture(s) opposite. This method of presentation does have the potential to puzzle students who are used to discerning the meaning of new vocabulary using a numeration or alphabetical system of correspondence between printed words and illustrations. However, the approach adopted here enhances students’ observation and study skills, with the small caveat that the teacher should verify that the dictionary material corresponds to the students’ level of competency.

The ten units in the Oxford Picture Dictionary for the Canadian Content Areas correspond to everyday topics and expressions. The unit titles are as follows: General Knowledge, Canada and the World, World History, Canadian History, Canadian Government and People, The Human Body, Living Things, The Physical World, Earth and Space Science, and Math and Technology. Each unit concludes with a section entitled “Unit Expansion,” which includes review activities (reading, writing and speaking). The additional reading texts are an excellent resource for verifying the acquisition of content that has already been taught. An appendix is also included in each chapter, providing illustrations and vocabulary about time and money, cardinal and ordinal numbers, opposites, clothing, and the world map. Finally, there is an alphabetical index, which can function as a quick search and revision tool.

The first unit, General Knowledge, explores themes from the classroom, school, house, family, urban, rural, hospital and work environments. The topics are likely to be familiar to the students and they are invited to expand their knowledge about them. For example, the unit Canada and the World examines the geography and industries of Canada, as well as those of other countries and regions. It provides an excellent opportunity for students to acquire an in- depth understanding of these subjects. This chapter could be especially useful for those students preparing for the Canadian Citizenship test.

The units on Canadian History and the Canadian Government and People would also be useful in preparing for the test. They provide an outline of important historical events and identify individuals and groups that played a significant role in Canadian history and the development of our society. Students are given the opportunity to discover the influence of different cultures in the development of current Canadian culture. Another important unit, World History, provides information about major historical breakthroughs in different countries around the world. Students may identify facts from their home country while, at the same time, learning about different civilizations.

Finally, the remaining units, The Human Body, Living Things, The Physical World, Earth and Space Science, Math and Technology, cover topics that can be relevant to the curriculum of a second language learning classroom for specific assignments, projects or self-study. However, parts of these units also contain more general information that can serve basic or broader learning objectives in such a class.