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Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Books
The Ocean Alphabet Book
Do you know which deep sea creature scares away its enemies by spraying ink at them, or which fish has lights inside its mouth to attract food?
Learn the answer to these questions and other fascinating details about ocean life in this engaging and informative book.
Young readers will delight in Jerry Pallotta's words and Frank Mazzola, Jr's illustrations on this alphabetical journey through the North Atlantic Ocean.
Learn the answer to these questions and other fascinating details about ocean life in this engaging and informative book.
Young readers will delight in Jerry Pallotta's words and Frank Mazzola, Jr's illustrations on this alphabetical journey through the North Atlantic Ocean.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
3 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
234 books111 followersMy full name is Gerard Larry Pallotta but my mom always called me "Jerry". I was born on March 26, 1953 in Boston, Massachusetts. My mom's name is Mary, and she came from a family of ten children. My dad's name is Joe, and he came from a family of five children. My grandparents were immigrants of Italian descent. I have the nicest parents in the world. They have always been unselfish and ready to help me, even today. I have four brothers and two sisters: Joey, David, Andrew, Danny, Cindy and Mickey. I have seventy-two first cousins. When I was growing up, there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 18, 2020
Although The Ocean Alphabet Book is certainly adequate enough with regard to showing readers a basic cross-section of ocean life (from the North Atlantic Ocean), personally, I have indeed been rather majorly disappointed with especially how unpoetic and totally stagnant author Jerry Pallotta’s text presents itself (with how the twenty-six sections in the guise of a traditional abecedarian really just rather tediously and repetitively show relevant ocean fauna like a proverbial grocery list but with neither any lyricism nor much descriptiveness, and also sadly, with no supplemental information on the diverse fish etc. featured and encountered in The Ocean Alphabet Book and of course and frustratingly, also with no list of books for further reading and study either).
Therefore, my own and very personal reading reaction to The Ocean Alphabet Book has been at best rather majorly ho-hum and decidedly lacklustre. And with this in mind, no indeed, I actually do not think that Jerry Pallotta really even introduces ocean life all that well with and in The Ocean Alphabet Book as honestly (and yes, in my humble opinion) readers, and even young readers, would need to know more than simply the names and a few select physical features and attributes to be able to get an adequate picture and understanding of the ocean creatures that inhabit the North Atlantic and are showcased in The Ocean Alphabet Book (and which is also why my ranking for The Ocean Alphabet Book is but two stars, for even though I do aesthetically enjoy Frank Mazzola Jr.’s accompanying artwork, this does not really mitigate how very much lacking in information and poetry, in basic narrative aptitude Jerry Pallotta’s printed words have proven to be).
Therefore, my own and very personal reading reaction to The Ocean Alphabet Book has been at best rather majorly ho-hum and decidedly lacklustre. And with this in mind, no indeed, I actually do not think that Jerry Pallotta really even introduces ocean life all that well with and in The Ocean Alphabet Book as honestly (and yes, in my humble opinion) readers, and even young readers, would need to know more than simply the names and a few select physical features and attributes to be able to get an adequate picture and understanding of the ocean creatures that inhabit the North Atlantic and are showcased in The Ocean Alphabet Book (and which is also why my ranking for The Ocean Alphabet Book is but two stars, for even though I do aesthetically enjoy Frank Mazzola Jr.’s accompanying artwork, this does not really mitigate how very much lacking in information and poetry, in basic narrative aptitude Jerry Pallotta’s printed words have proven to be).
April 6, 2014
This excellent book has 27 pages. The pictures are very well drawn. The book shows animals found in the Atlantic Ocean from A to Z.
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I could use this book in my class to explore different "types" of animals like farm animals or tree animals. We could use a dictionary or encyclopedia to find animals that began with each letter of the alphabet. It could be like a scavenger hunt!
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I could use this book in my class to explore different "types" of animals like farm animals or tree animals. We could use a dictionary or encyclopedia to find animals that began with each letter of the alphabet. It could be like a scavenger hunt!
April 16, 2015
Reaction
I was surprised. I guess I thought the book would be much more centered around the alphabet. It wasn't a disappointed surprise it was more of a pleasant surprise. Usually all the alphabets are much more focused just on the alphabet when this book went into more depth on the ocean creatures. I especially like what they did for letter X. I thought it brought a nice twist to the book. Also, it created a little discussion and interaction between the audience and the book. Also, I liked how there're wasn't just the typical creatures that everyone always thinks of! So, that the book actually would be teaching the readers something new! I think this book would be better for about five to six year olds because they might understand a lot more. But, I don't think that means that younger kids shouldn't have it read to them too. I think it is always a good thing to spark the imagination and to get them to start learning!
I was surprised. I guess I thought the book would be much more centered around the alphabet. It wasn't a disappointed surprise it was more of a pleasant surprise. Usually all the alphabets are much more focused just on the alphabet when this book went into more depth on the ocean creatures. I especially like what they did for letter X. I thought it brought a nice twist to the book. Also, it created a little discussion and interaction between the audience and the book. Also, I liked how there're wasn't just the typical creatures that everyone always thinks of! So, that the book actually would be teaching the readers something new! I think this book would be better for about five to six year olds because they might understand a lot more. But, I don't think that means that younger kids shouldn't have it read to them too. I think it is always a good thing to spark the imagination and to get them to start learning!
December 27, 2020
Great book, taught me that dogfish ARE in fact a real thing, and they are essentially little sharks!!!
...meanwhile goosefish u ugly, sorry.
I WANNA PUFFERFISH.
I dunno what sunfish are, but I'm gonna find out, just watch me. EDIT: It looks like their wearing a tutu!!!!
Okay, i'm sorry------- Tunas can get to as big as cARS???!?!z? ........uhhhhoh
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT FLOUNDER IS A TYPE OF FISH! DOES THAT MEAN THAT IN THE LIL MERMAID THEY NAMED FLOUNDER AFTER A FLOUNDER EVENTHOUGH HE WAS A CLOWNFISH???? That's like if I was named "mammal" or somthn' (probably). EDIT: Okay, so he's not a clown fish, my bad. My point still stands though ~just sayin~
Zillions isn't even a word, I veto.
8/10 will read to other kiddos. It's pretty good, has some goofs n gaafs, but I ain't here for the octos (just a personal preference tho), still a pretty good book! (Teaches alot ^^^^^^^^)
...meanwhile goosefish u ugly, sorry.
I WANNA PUFFERFISH.
I dunno what sunfish are, but I'm gonna find out, just watch me. EDIT: It looks like their wearing a tutu!!!!
Okay, i'm sorry------- Tunas can get to as big as cARS???!?!z? ........uhhhhoh
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT FLOUNDER IS A TYPE OF FISH! DOES THAT MEAN THAT IN THE LIL MERMAID THEY NAMED FLOUNDER AFTER A FLOUNDER EVENTHOUGH HE WAS A CLOWNFISH???? That's like if I was named "mammal" or somthn' (probably). EDIT: Okay, so he's not a clown fish, my bad. My point still stands though ~just sayin~
Zillions isn't even a word, I veto.
8/10 will read to other kiddos. It's pretty good, has some goofs n gaafs, but I ain't here for the octos (just a personal preference tho), still a pretty good book! (Teaches alot ^^^^^^^^)
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April 26, 2019The Ocean Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta, goes through every letter in the alphabet and finds a fish or other animal that lives in the North Atlantic Ocean, and describes it. From an Octpus, to the Ink of a squid, from fish I have never heard of, many animals and fish are described. For the "X", the author couldn't find an "X" and asked the children to try to. Then, on the next page the Xiphius gladius Fish was found, so the author found an "X" after all. In the end with "Z," there are zillions of fish in the ocean.
I give this book 5/5 stars. It does a great job at descrbing many of the animals and fish that are in the ocean. This way it is teaching two concepts: the alphabet, and the students can also learn about what lives in the ocean. The illustrations are great and draw in the reader while they learn about the fish. This would be a great educational piece in my clasroom, and I definitely recommend it.
I give this book 5/5 stars. It does a great job at descrbing many of the animals and fish that are in the ocean. This way it is teaching two concepts: the alphabet, and the students can also learn about what lives in the ocean. The illustrations are great and draw in the reader while they learn about the fish. This would be a great educational piece in my clasroom, and I definitely recommend it.
June 30, 2015
Where Jerry Pallota's alphabet books shine is in the choice of subjects-- not the same old same old alphabet names. So the Goosefish (ugh) and the Hogfish, and even an X-- Xiphias gladius, the swordfish.
Ok, so the somewhat jocular and mostly informative text isn't inspired, and the pictures aren't breathtaking-- but if you have a science/fact junkie who likes picture books, as I do, this is a good quick read, even for a first grader long beyond the classic alphabet book stage.
Ok, so the somewhat jocular and mostly informative text isn't inspired, and the pictures aren't breathtaking-- but if you have a science/fact junkie who likes picture books, as I do, this is a good quick read, even for a first grader long beyond the classic alphabet book stage.
September 29, 2015
This author writes great books to use to introduce ABCs and words that start with each letter. This particular book is on ocean creatures, and each letter represents a different aspect of the ocean. This can easily double as a language arts and science lesson. The students can go through this book, and practice their letters. They can then create an ocean creature as an arts and crafts project.
August 31, 2023
This is the first title from Pallotta’s extensive list of theme abc titles. While they do teach some information, this one was one fact per ocean creature. I did learn that a periwinkle is also referred to by some people as a snail and that quahogs are actually another name for clams.
Will look at other titles in the series.
Will look at other titles in the series.
December 9, 2018
1. Awards: None found.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): PK-1
3. This book offers an aquatic exploration through all 26 letters of the alphabet. Many of the species introduced throughout the book will be brand new to most young readers. In addition, the author offers detailed descriptions and illustrations of each animal.
4. I really enjoy the illustrations in this book as well as the attention to detail when describing each of the animals. I think young children would really enjoy this book and I like that it offers a dense amount of new information for the readers. I think this is a must-have book for my future elementary classroom.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
1. Teaching the Alphabet exploring one letter at a time.
2. Teaching a unit on the Ocean and explicit instruction of vocabulary.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): PK-1
3. This book offers an aquatic exploration through all 26 letters of the alphabet. Many of the species introduced throughout the book will be brand new to most young readers. In addition, the author offers detailed descriptions and illustrations of each animal.
4. I really enjoy the illustrations in this book as well as the attention to detail when describing each of the animals. I think young children would really enjoy this book and I like that it offers a dense amount of new information for the readers. I think this is a must-have book for my future elementary classroom.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
1. Teaching the Alphabet exploring one letter at a time.
2. Teaching a unit on the Ocean and explicit instruction of vocabulary.
March 10, 2020
This alphabet book was first published in 1986 and later republished. It provides interesting facts about marine animals and has nice illustrations. The language isn't as lyrical as I would like, but an alphabet book has a limiting structure. It's still a good book that can retain a child's attention, especially if the reader loves animals.
Pallota has written other alphabet books that may be of interest to this age group.
Pallota has written other alphabet books that may be of interest to this age group.
February 14, 2019
This is a unique ABC book. Each letter is the name of a fish that is in the North Atlantic Ocean. Each fish has a fact or two, sometimes three. The illustrations are very nice, showcasing each fish. The vocabulary is not difficult for young readers, so would be a good introduction to gathering facts from a story in a format that a student would already be familiar with.
August 23, 2021
I learned about one thing from this book, and that was their Quahaug entry. It's lazy to me to use a scientific name for one animal, not even mention one single animal for another letter and then go ahead an list about ten for another letter. I'm sure there are some animals with each letter to choose from in order to use one for each letter. They mostly used fish and one mammal.
May 7, 2019
This book contains illustrations of animals that corresponds to the letters of the alphabet. With a cute and rhyming description for each, this is a perfect book for kiddos interested in sea life and learning their alphabet.
Trait: Conventions/Presentation
DRA: 24
AR: 2.8
Trait: Conventions/Presentation
DRA: 24
AR: 2.8
April 24, 2020
Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Reading Level: K-2
Personally, I loved to read this book and I am 19 years old. It might just be because I am very intrigued in learning about the ocean, but I just loved it very much. This book gives many examples of different animals that live not just in the ocean, but in the North Atlantic book and it also has wonderful pictures of these animals. I would recommend this book to your child only if they seem fascinated with learning because if you force your child to read this book at a point where they do not want to learn, then they will not enjoy it as much!!
Reading Level: K-2
Personally, I loved to read this book and I am 19 years old. It might just be because I am very intrigued in learning about the ocean, but I just loved it very much. This book gives many examples of different animals that live not just in the ocean, but in the North Atlantic book and it also has wonderful pictures of these animals. I would recommend this book to your child only if they seem fascinated with learning because if you force your child to read this book at a point where they do not want to learn, then they will not enjoy it as much!!
February 20, 2023
Haven: I really love this book. I like the scary inkfish. It makes me laugh. And I scare Mommy and Daddy with it. And I like the jellyfish.
July 23, 2024
I enjoyed reading another book from the ABC series. Beautiful illustrations of known and not-so-well known ocean creatures, with brief descriptions. Easy for many ages to enjoy.
June 9, 2008
We recently discovered Jerry Pallotta and have really enjoyed the few books we've read. We now head right over to the P section of every library to see if we can find more books by him.
The illustrations are very realistic. The text is informative and funny. A couple times the kids broke out laughing.
I like these alphabet books because it helps the little ones learn their ABCs and it has a wealth of information about all sorts of animals. It's fun to see how the author has to stretch things to find animals to fit with a certain letter. One of our favorites in this book was the umuhumunukunukuapua'a. Oh, the hours we spent saying it and then giggling afterwards.
This is not a book to read to really learn about a specific animal. You learn a little about each. But it is great for generating interest. We mainly use them for fun and read them during picture book time.
My boys look through them many times before returning them.
The illustrations are very realistic. The text is informative and funny. A couple times the kids broke out laughing.
I like these alphabet books because it helps the little ones learn their ABCs and it has a wealth of information about all sorts of animals. It's fun to see how the author has to stretch things to find animals to fit with a certain letter. One of our favorites in this book was the umuhumunukunukuapua'a. Oh, the hours we spent saying it and then giggling afterwards.
This is not a book to read to really learn about a specific animal. You learn a little about each. But it is great for generating interest. We mainly use them for fun and read them during picture book time.
My boys look through them many times before returning them.
May 2, 2014
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February 2, 2016
I think this story can catch the attention of a class room of children quickly. Everyone knows their ABCs and have hard the usual A is for Apple and such, but not to many people have heard of typed of fish paired with letters. Maybe it is just me but this is a new look at it if you ask me!
December 2, 2008
Fun, little book. We liked learning a smidge about a lot of different ocean animals. We also liked the illustrations.
February 19, 2010
For his first book I liked it because the pictures and the information in it.
July 29, 2011
I love the alphabet books that teach me something I don't know and this one did that
May 26, 2013
Having lived on a New England island during the summer when I was younger, I am always drawn to ocean animals and this alphabet is really great.
September 10, 2013
Very informative it may be a baby book but I still learned things i didn't know =)
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December 15, 2013AR Quiz No. 41674 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.8 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.8 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
July 16, 2014
Good text to accompany.
August 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book because it informed me about marine life I didn't know anything about! It opened up my eyes to the kind of life that lives in the ocean!
January 4, 2015
My kids love all of Jerry Pallotta's books.
June 26, 2009
Another great scientific alphabet book by Jerry Pallotta. I am a big fan of these books.
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September 21, 2017Ocean animals, unique take on the classic alphabet book, new vocabulary
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews