Book Tips - Dictionaries

1. Dictionaries for Learners of German
It is easier to learn German if you have a monolingual (German-German) dictionary at your fingertips. Normalen monolingual dictionaries often contain complicated explanation for the words you are looking up. That's why there are learner's dictionaries.
The classic among German learner's dictionaries is the Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache from LANGENSCHEIDT. It is a very good dictionary for the own desk (66000 entries according to the editor). Unfortunately it is rather expensive. The newest edition was published in 2010. If you spend another four euros, you will get the same dictionary with a hard cover and a CD-ROM for your computer.
A little less expensive is Langenscheidt's Power Wörterbuch Deutsch, which is a German-German dictionary despite its English-sounding name. It contains less words than the Großwörterbuch (50000 entries according to the editor), but it is still sufficient for basic and intermediate level learners (A1 to B2). The dictionary was published in 2009. Even cheaper is the Taschenwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache from Langenscheidt, which contains only 30000 entries (publisher's information) hat. This is adequate for levels A1 to at least B1. The advantages of this dictionary are its size and weight. It can easily be taken to class. The latest edition is from 2009.
PONS, another publisher of dictionaries, has another commendable Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache. It also contains a CD-ROM and includes 77000 entries (publisher's information). This dictionary was published in 2010. Fully adequate for levels A1 to B2 (basic and intermediate learners) is the Kompaktwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache from the same publisher. It costs much less and has 42000 entries (publisher's information). The latest edition was published in 2012.
The cheapest dictionary with a hard cover is DUDEN's Standardwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache. It comprises 20000 entries (publisher's information). This book also answers the purposes of beginners and intermediate learners (A1 to B2. The latest edition was published in 2010. The publishing house HUEBER has issued a learner's dictionary for German that is compatible with HUEBER's textbooks and teaching materials but can also be used like any of the other dictionaries. It is called Wörterbuch für Kurse der Grund- und Mittelstufe and has 41500 entries (publisher's information). The newest edition was published in 2007.

2. Pictorial Dictionaries for Learners of German
Some learners like pictorial dictionaries, which don't only print the word but also show an illustration. These dictionaries can be helpful for beginners who know only few words and are about to learn the German script and letters.
A cheap pictorial dictionary for beginners (A1/A2) with 2000 words ist the Bildwörterbuch Deutsch by DORLING-KINDERSLEY. It comes with a CD, so that the words can also be listened to. Its main target are children but adults might also learn their first words with this dictionary. The Bildwörterbuch Deutsch by HUEBER is a beginner's dictionary for level A1. 1000 words of basic vocabulary are explained with pictures.
In the Bildwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache by DUDEN 30000 words (publisher's information) are explained with illustrations. Many technical words and terminology for special purposes are illustrated in this book. The words are not arranged in alphabetical order but according to subjects. The Deutsche Bildwörterbuch by JAPANINFO illustrates about 4500 words (publisher's information) with photos and drawings. Four audio CDs are included, so that the learner can listen to the words. The book is addressed to adults who want to learn German in private study.