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Jerry Pallotta Math Books
The Butterfly Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta
Count from one to twenty-six and learn about the many different kids of butterflies in the world. Gorgeous art by Shennen Bersani brings these beautiful insects to life, and Jerry Pallotta's signature humor and amazing facts make this a great read for all ages.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
239 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 14, 2015
Learning to count to 25 is the major concept being displayed in the book. Butterflies are used throughout the story to show a representation of the number along with the numeric value, and the word of each number. Each page consists of a different species of butterflies, a general fact about butterflies, and then what a butterfly is called in different languages, making this book multicultural and a concept book as well. It then discusses the life cycle of a butterfly as well going through the caterpillar stage into the chrysalises, and then comes out as a butterfly we hope.
Classroom Connection: After reading the story children should gather in groups and go around the room and use their new counting skills to count things in the classroom, it could be all the kids, or certain things that the teacher has laid out for the students to count. After they have found somethings to count they should report it back to the class, after everyone has finished counting.
Another thing to do, would be to go outside and walk around and look for things in nature. Some schools might have a garden area, that could have certain bugs, and insects, and maybe some moths and butterflies, that students can count as well. Allowing students the ability to go explore and learn on their own will make it more meaningful and enjoyable to them, and the teachers role, is to explain any questions the students might have and to monitor to make sure students are safe and making good decisions when it comes to exploring outside.
Classroom Connection: After reading the story children should gather in groups and go around the room and use their new counting skills to count things in the classroom, it could be all the kids, or certain things that the teacher has laid out for the students to count. After they have found somethings to count they should report it back to the class, after everyone has finished counting.
Another thing to do, would be to go outside and walk around and look for things in nature. Some schools might have a garden area, that could have certain bugs, and insects, and maybe some moths and butterflies, that students can count as well. Allowing students the ability to go explore and learn on their own will make it more meaningful and enjoyable to them, and the teachers role, is to explain any questions the students might have and to monitor to make sure students are safe and making good decisions when it comes to exploring outside.
August 18, 2017
Honestly, I'm having a hard time deciding if this one is good for my butterfly themed story time. It has beautiful illustrations and is easy to read, but kind of boring and rather long. (it has 2 two-page spreads before we start counting at 1 and we go to 25). However, it is really informative and accessible. It also teaches a fact about butterflies with each number, as well as the name for butterfly in many different languages. I think with my preschoolers I'll just stop when we get to 10 and with older kids make a game time decision as to whether to continue after 10 or not.
Overall, I do recommend this book, it's a great introduction to a lot of different butterflies, it's just a little long.
Overall, I do recommend this book, it's a great introduction to a lot of different butterflies, it's just a little long.
January 28, 2019
My version clearly does not match the ones other folks read. Not only does it a have a very different cover, but it doesn't cover the same material. In my version, there's a quick count to 20 (of moths, not butterflies), then counting by odd numbers up to 21. Then there's a quick mention of 25, although 23 is completely skipped. 12 total languages (not counting English) are represented, although the last two are clumped together on the same page, which is a touch odd. Still, it's a cute book, and I did enjoy learning a few new ways to say "butterfly."
September 1, 2019
This book is not just beautiful, it's fun counting practice because it also has cool butterfly facts. It also tells you how to say butterfly in 25 different languages. I'm glad it has the facts and languages because we can count way higher than 25 these days. The latter of the two make for more fun re-read-ability.
September 1, 2023
"I like counting, and I like butterflies. My favorite part is showing the colors of the butterflies. I didn't know that they smell with their antennae! My favorite butterfly is the one that looks like a piano!"
February 24, 2019
Great early childhood nonfiction book
LOVE how it introduces odd numbers as well
LOVE how it introduces odd numbers as well
April 30, 2023
Very wordy.
January 4, 2017
In this book you count to 25 by counting butterflies. I really liked the illustrations.
February 27, 2017
Math, Nature
February 14, 2015
With sparking illustrations created with Prismacolor pencils, this picture book offers many uses for classrooms. Not only is a counting book, going from zero to twenty-five, but it also teaches young readers about the different types of butterflies. As if that isn't enough, the word for butterfly is provided in twenty-five different languages, even sign language. While some critics may consider that the book's author is trying to do too much here--even informing young readers that butterflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica--I like the idea of learning many different things at the same time, even their life cycle and how humans should avoid touching their fragile wings for fear of damaging their scales. I know quite a lot about butterflies, and I still learned some interesting facts and was intrigued by the aptly-named Piano Keys butterfly. This one would be an excellent addition to the classroom library.
November 5, 2015
This is a very clever work that manages to be a concept book as well as containing interesting facts about butterflies, and even a bit of a language lesson!
The reader is introduced to a wide variety of butterflies in illustrations, and there are basic facts about butterflies as a whole, and readers learn how to say "butterfly" in over 20 different languages.
The illustrations are colorful and show the insects in various poses of flight and rest. There are even eggs and caterpillars to count.
Great for amateur lepidopterists.
The reader is introduced to a wide variety of butterflies in illustrations, and there are basic facts about butterflies as a whole, and readers learn how to say "butterfly" in over 20 different languages.
The illustrations are colorful and show the insects in various poses of flight and rest. There are even eggs and caterpillars to count.
Great for amateur lepidopterists.
January 8, 2021
Learn about butterflies as you count them, and also a bit of language as you see what people call butterflies on different languages. Colorful and informative, this book could be useful on different levels. The information might be too hard for young ones who are just learning to count, though they might just enjoy counting the different colored butterflies. Older children will probably already know how to count but enjoy the butterfly information and how to say butterfly in other languages.
April 4, 2015
Butterfly counting book filled with many kinds of beautiful butterflies and even the word "butterfly" in several different languages. Would love to see a little more information about the facts in the book, but I feel like I learned new things and young students would have fun counting with this book.
May 20, 2015
this book was just too long for me. A nice concept of the names and types of butterflies around the world and each picture is a higher number of butterflies leading up to 25. The description were nice but too long for a storytime. A good recommendation for a report on butterflies or a lover of butterflies.
April 5, 2015
The illustrations are beautiful and offer a great nonfiction visual resource for children.
I did not love the narrative voice, and I found the "This is how they say butterfly in..." a bit gimmicky rather than being truly invested in supporting children's meaningful engagement with other languages.
I did not love the narrative voice, and I found the "This is how they say butterfly in..." a bit gimmicky rather than being truly invested in supporting children's meaningful engagement with other languages.
April 27, 2015
Educational on a variety of fronts--math, language, and science. The only thing that was distracting was that I kept wondering if the type of butterfly was from the part of the world represented by the country on the page (it's not in the few cases I checked). Missed opportunity there.
May 27, 2015
This could be a science book or a math book, or just a pretty book.
What I learned!
There are no such thing as baby butterflies...butterflies are all adults. (babies are caterpillars)
Lovely colors and information! Enjoyed this one!!
What I learned!
There are no such thing as baby butterflies...butterflies are all adults. (babies are caterpillars)
Lovely colors and information! Enjoyed this one!!
June 3, 2015
Although I categorized this as a picture book on here, it's in my library's collection as non-fiction because it has so many wonderful facts about butterflies. It's a non-traditional counting book because it counts up different size groups and does not go from 1 to 10. Beautiful art!
September 7, 2008
This book could be used with a Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom. It teaches counting and number recognition using beautiful butterflies.
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June 3, 2009JEPIC-Pal
April 22, 2015
Beautiful way to learn numbers and colors while discovering many fascinating facts about butterflies. The illustrations are fabulous prtrayals of 25 different butterflies.
April 25, 2015
A simple flattering fluttering of fun facts and photos.
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May 11, 2017A simple flattering fluttering of fun facts and photos.
-Monty K.
-Monty K.
June 18, 2015
A nice counting book with a lot of science thrown in, wonderful illustrations would satisfy any butterfly lover.
October 4, 2015
awesome illustrations! I also loved that the author included 25 different words for butterfly in 25 languages.
July 23, 2024
Toddler, preschool, and school-age
June 22, 2014
Much more than I expected from a counting book--including words for butterfly in many languages
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June 12, 2015nonfiction content
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews