"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