German Dictionary for Beginners, published by Usborne
ISBN: 978-1-474-90363-9

This small volume is not really a dictionary, although it does have a basic English→German dictionary at the back of the book. The bulk of the work, though, is really devoted to increasing your vocabulary by way of colorful two-page spreads, each on a particular theme (eg, going to bed, illness and health, politics). Things or actions depicted in the engagingly illustrated scenes are labelled in German, and groups of these German words are listed in separate boxes together with their English translations. A delightful way to learn a lot of useful German words. It would be a good book for children, but adults will find it useful as well.

DK German–English Bilingual Visual Dictionary
ISBN: 978-0-2412-9245-7
(Also available as e-book.)

Another very colorful little volume, this one with thousands of small bilingually captioned photographs arranged by theme (eg, vegetables, women’s clothing, airport).

Essential German Vocabulary by Lisa Kahlen, published by Teach Yourself
ISBN: 978-1-444-10364-9

Phrasebooks give lists of vocabulary tailored more towards tourists, but this book does that and more. There is, for example, a long list of seemingly unrelated words you might use in expressing an opinion (eg, “above all”, “however”, “usually”, “obviously”, “in spite of”, “finally”). Another list sets forth adjectives for describing a person’s character (eg, “reliable”, “inconsiderate”, “sincere”, “stubborn”). Such conveniently assembled lists are difficult to find elsewhere. The book also includes a fairly painless overview of basic German grammar.