Once Upon a Word

Name: Once Upon a Word
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9781646112593
Price: 40.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids—Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions & Stories

By Jess Zafarris

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.38

( 107 ratings, 39 reviews)

Summary

Once Upon a Word by Jess Zafarris is a playful and informative journey through the fascinating world of etymology. Aimed at children, the book explores the origins and evolution of language, uncovering fun facts and intriguing stories about words. It's a delightful read for young curious minds eager to understand how words came to be.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$40⁰⁰

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Once Upon a Word

$40⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this delightful children's book if you have a passion for exploring the origins and playful nature of words. It's perfect for young readers who are curious about language and eager to discover fun facts and stories about the words we use every day.

FICTION 30 Sep 2026

New Releases to add to your TBR this week (29th September)

From celebrity memoirs to a brand new follow up to The Whale Rider, here is...

GIFTS 30 Sep 2026

New: Out of Print Book Merchandise has arrived!

We are so excited to share that we now have a selection in-stock of the...

BOARD GAMES 29 Sep 2026

Bookish Board Games Amelia & Lizzy Have Been Playing

Amelia and Lizzy have been playing two of our newest bookish board games! Find out...

NON-FICTION 29 Sep 2026

Self-Help Advice I Actually Use

My partner Alex says I read too many self-help books, and he’s probably right. To...

NRL 29 Sep 2026

It’s Grand Final week in the world of the NRL!

It’s Grand Final week in the world of the NRL! And although the mighty NZ...

"Building vocabulary through etymology, definitions & stories." --Cover

Description

Where do words come from? Teaching kids ages 9 to 12 vocabulary through word origins.

The English language is made up of words from different places, events, and periods of time. Each of those words has an exciting story to tell us about where, when, how, and why they came about. Once Upon a Word is packed with easy-to-understand definitions and awesome word origin stories. With this dictionary for kids, you can understand the history and meaning of English words, improve your vocabulary and spelling, and learn to play with language.

Explore how weird words like "gnome", fun words like "zombie", and common words like "caterpillar" came to exist. Discover why some words sound funnier than others (like "cackle", "sizzle", and "twang") and why some groups of words start with the same few letters (like "hydrate", "hydrogen", and "fire hydrant"). In this dictionary for kids, there's a whole world of English words to uncover!

This unique dictionary for kids includes:

Roots & branches—Learn about the building blocks that make up words, called roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Kid-friendly definitions—Look up definitions designed for your reading level in this dictionary for kids.

Word tidbits—Find out where your favourite food words got their start, from bacon to marshmallow, spaghetti, yogurt, and beyond.

See how the English language evolved with this colourful dictionary for kids.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews of Once Upon a Word highlight its engaging approach to making learning about words fun and enlightening for both children and adults. The book is praised for being visually appealing and offering "a-ha!" moments that open young minds to the world of language and history. It's considered an essential resource for both parents and educators, inspiring readers to explore the fascinating realm of etymology.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781646112593

Publisher: Callisto Media Inc.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 March 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Callisto Kids

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 191.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 890g

Pages: 268

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Education & Reference Jess Zafarris Penguin Books

About the Author

JESS ZAFARRIS has been writing about etymology for more than 10 years at UselessEtymology.com and on Twitter @UselessEty. She has an MA in journalism and mass communications and a BA in English literature.

Also by Jess Zafarris

View all

Words from Hell

"A fiendishly good read!" Mignon Fogarty, Grammar Girl The English language is where words go to be tortured and mutilated into unrecognisable shadows of their former selves. It's where Latin, Greek, and Germanic roots are shredded apart and stitched unceremoniously back together with misunderstood snippets of languages snatched from the wreckage of conquest and colonialism. It wreaks merciless havoc upon...

By Jess Zafarris

Paperback

$45⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 2-3 weeks
Useless Etymology

"A burst of delight on every page!"Mignon Fogarty, host of the Grammar Girl podcastDid you know that an "astronaut" is literally a "star sailor," that a thesaurus is, in fact, a "treasure trove" of words, and that someone who is "sinister" is actually just "left-handed"? Have you ever wondered why English isn't considered a Romance language if 60% of our...

By Jess Zafarris

Hardback

$54⁰⁰

Available
Ships in 2-3 weeks
Pre-order

Into the Words

Which animal holds the record for having the most common names? When and why did we stop calling giraffes "camel-leopards"? Do mushrooms have anything to do with mush or rooms? Why are dandelions named after lions' teeth? How should you really pluralise "octopus"? Find out how and why raccoons are named after their hands, squirrels after their tails, and olives...

By Jess Zafarris

Hardback

$32⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

Pre-order
Out 16 Feb 2027
Pre-order

A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts for Curious Humans Who Have Nothing Better to Do Than Read

A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts is the ultimate collection for curious minds who love to discover unexpected facts at every turn. This playful, engaging collection of intriguing information is perfect for dipping into at a moment's notice. With a mix of history, science, pop culture, and quirky trivia, A Miscellany of Weird and Wonderful Facts delivers an eye-popping...

By Shannon Miller and Jess Zafarris

Hardback

$28⁰⁰

Pre-order
Out 20 Oct 2026

More from Children's Books

View all

New Release

Wahine

From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....

By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Hardback

$31⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

The Sweet As Looky Book

Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...

By Donovan Bixley

Hardback

$22⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster

Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...

By Sam Smith

Paperback

$14⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$14⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

The Neverfear

A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...

By Katherine Rundell

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

Mari the Unwonderful Witch

A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...

By Asako Yuzuki

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
Gruffalo Granny

The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...

By Julia Donaldson

Hardback

$24⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$30⁰⁰~~

Backorder
Ships early October
New Release

Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition

A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...

By Graeme Base

Hardback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$35⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

The Comeback Kid

Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...

By Airana Ngarewa

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$19⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

Millie from Milford

Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...

By Ruth Shaw

Paperback

$22⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4

But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...

By Rachael King

Paperback

$16⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$18⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

Pocket Observology

Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...

By Giselle Clarkson

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow
New Release

Minecraft Annual 2027

The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...

By Mojang AB

Hardback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.