16th October Steve Jobs Day: Dictionary Day;

Firstly, it is Steve Jobs Day on the 16th October and I am not sure why it is on this date. He was neither born or died on the 16th October, but  in 2011 the day was proclaimed by the Governor of California. The day brings forth the opportunity to reflect on the life of the famed innovator and how his contributions have helped advance the human race. From iPhones to iPads and every single app in between, one could argue that humanity would not be as technologically savvy without the work of Steve Jobs. There are several biographies about Steve Jobs that are written for children so today is the day to read one of these. Here's a few:

Dictionary Day is also celebrated on the 16th October. It is celebrated annually in honour of Noah Webster's birthday. The day celebrates dictionaries and the importance of words, commemorating Webster's work as an American lexicographer who created the first American dictionary and championed American English. It is somewhat ironic that now a student at school is much more likely to look up the meaning of a word on some form of device, rather than go to a dictionary. Both men were definitely products of the time they were alive.

Although this happens I do hope that dictionaries will always exist and lexicographers will still enjoy compiling them. Samuel Johnson was the first English person to create a dictionary and he did so before Noah Webster who felt strongly that American English was different from British English. Australian children are very clever, they read both!

How to celebrate? There are several picture book biographies about Noah Webster, but you may prefer to spend some time exploring Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston's book, The Dictionary Story.

18th January Thesaurus Day

Thesaurus Day is held on 18th January because that is the birthdate of Peter Roget the creator of Roget's Thesaurus. He was born in 1779, was a consummate list-maker by 8 years old and went on to be a physician after leaving school and studying medicine at University of Edinburgh. He retired in 1840 and dedicated himself to compiling his dictionary of synonyms that he had begun in 1805. This dictionary was first published in 1852. It was called 'Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases Classified and Arranged so as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition’. It was republished and republished and became very well known and thought of and despite Roget's other achievements it is for this that he is most remembered.

Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet published a spectacular picture book biography of his life, titled The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus in 2014. It is the perfect way to learn about Roget and thesauruses. It also impresses upon readers the power of words and the joy of looking closely at them.

If you can't find this book and you want to look at synonyms through a fun read look for:
• Thesaurus Rex by Laya Steinberg and Debbie Harter