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Jerry Pallotta Math Books
Apple Fractions
Best-selling author Jerry Pallotta turns his talents to teaching fractions to kids by using a healthy snack apples!
Author Jerry Pallotta and illustrator Rob Bolster use a variety of different apples to teach kids all about fractions in this innovative and enjoyable book. Playful elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and more. Young readers will also learn about varieties of apples, including Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smiths, Cortlands, and even Asian Pears.
Author Jerry Pallotta and illustrator Rob Bolster use a variety of different apples to teach kids all about fractions in this innovative and enjoyable book. Playful elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and more. Young readers will also learn about varieties of apples, including Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smiths, Cortlands, and even Asian Pears.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
8 people are currently reading
350 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 70 reviews
July 11, 2021
Excellent educational book all around :)
December 10, 2021
After reading this to my class of first graders in Japan, I happened to check Jerry Pallotta's dedication, which mentioned the "kids and teachers at Johnny Appleseed Elementary School in Leominster, Massachusetts" and I thought, wow, that's just down the street from where my grandmother used to live!
Anyway, I liked the book too!
Anyway, I liked the book too!
April 23, 2012
This book would be great to use to teach about fractions. In this book, people have to share an apple and it shows how to cut the apple to divide it fairly. The pictures are great and very clearly show how to cut an apple. I like this book because it would be easy to do a great hands on activity with it. The teacher could have real apples in the class cut into fractions (the students can't cut them for obvious reasons...). The students could do work with equivalent fractions by trading pieces of apple so that each trade is "fair."
December 5, 2016
1. This is a creative way to introduce fractions using different types of apples.
2. Grades 2-3
3. Math
4. Students who enjoy learning new math could enjoy this.
5/6. I would use this in my classroom to introduce fractions. I could use an activity with real apples to have students demonstrate the fractions and pieces.
7. The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions Book, Full House
8. None
2. Grades 2-3
3. Math
4. Students who enjoy learning new math could enjoy this.
5/6. I would use this in my classroom to introduce fractions. I could use an activity with real apples to have students demonstrate the fractions and pieces.
7. The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Fractions Book, Full House
8. None
October 6, 2017
Great information about both apples and fractions. It was interesting enough that my 5 year old asked to read it again - and he seemed to actually learn something about fractions, even though he still struggles with the concept of plus and minus 1.
October 23, 2018
A strange read. Part fraction book, part book on different kinds and parts of apples, and then with a random orange and pear thrown in. An interesting concwpt, but there are other books that teach fractions with less random other things thrown in.
December 15, 2022
My son has fraction apple toys and this book aligned with it perfectly (same color apples showed the same fractions) so I can only assume one inspired the other. Some might not appreciate the apple facts added into the book but it helped keep my little apple lover engaged and interested.
March 4, 2021
We're about to start a unit study on Johnny Appleseed and will be studying fractions soon. This book makes for the best kickstart to such a homeschooling venture.
November 3, 2021
This book would be really good to read to a first or second grade class who is just beginning to learn about fractions.
March 11, 2024
I'm craving apples now!
March 25, 2015
Informational Text- This is a great book for kids learning about fractions. It introduces fractions but telling a story about apples. Each page shows a different type of apple and ways to split it into equal portions. It also gives your different facts about the apples as they appear and relates it to the story. The concepts get more complex as the story moves along.
I think this book would helps 3rd graders as they begin to explore fractions, however, I believe that it is on a reading level suitable for late 1st grade and 2nd grade. I think this is just a good book to keep in a classroom that is studying fractions as a reference tool for children that are stuck. It's a great visual aid for the comparison of of different fractions. it shows kids that as the denominator get bigger, your portions get smaller.
I think this book would helps 3rd graders as they begin to explore fractions, however, I believe that it is on a reading level suitable for late 1st grade and 2nd grade. I think this is just a good book to keep in a classroom that is studying fractions as a reference tool for children that are stuck. It's a great visual aid for the comparison of of different fractions. it shows kids that as the denominator get bigger, your portions get smaller.
March 18, 2015
I really liked reading this picture book, with my future students in mind. It explains and teaches all about fractions in a really easy-to-understand way. Many students, including myself, struggle with mathematics and it's important that we teach the basics in a very simple way that allows them to build upon what they already know and understand. This book teaches fractions in an excellent way, using fun examples with pictures of how the various fruits will be cut based on how many slices are wanted. I will absolutely use this picture book in my future classroom to teach my students all about fractions and allow them to see what is actually happening when parts of the whole are put back together and how fractions are used. A wonderful math picture book that teaches very effectively!!
March 18, 2015
Fractions. Even seeing the word on the front of the children's book made me cringe. Even now the horror of those first months of learning fractions still echoes in my mind like a scream into an empty, dark room.
Of course I am being dramatic, but to my young mind, that is not far off from what I would think of fractions. This book is a fun and interesting way for kids to learn fractions. Even better if you were to have an interactive activity along with it involving the fruit mentioned in the book children would take huge bounds in helping understand fractions. I would recommend this book in any library where children are learning no matter their stage.
Have fun reading!
Of course I am being dramatic, but to my young mind, that is not far off from what I would think of fractions. This book is a fun and interesting way for kids to learn fractions. Even better if you were to have an interactive activity along with it involving the fruit mentioned in the book children would take huge bounds in helping understand fractions. I would recommend this book in any library where children are learning no matter their stage.
Have fun reading!
November 26, 2011
This is a great book about fractions. Most students can relate to apples;therefore, it can help understand fractions.
The book is very informative about the different types of apples. A teacher could recreate this book by reading it and having the apples there to cut in front of the students so the grasp the fraction concepts. Then the students could snack on something healthy.
The book teaches about the major fractions: halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, tenths, etc. This could lead to students bring in items or pictures of items to cut up into fractions.
The book is very informative about the different types of apples. A teacher could recreate this book by reading it and having the apples there to cut in front of the students so the grasp the fraction concepts. Then the students could snack on something healthy.
The book teaches about the major fractions: halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, tenths, etc. This could lead to students bring in items or pictures of items to cut up into fractions.
November 24, 2012
This math book introduces apples to the reader and shows how to split apples in halves, fourths, thirds and so on.
This book would be great example for students to be able to manipulate real apples or objects while the teacher is reading the story aloud. Allowing the students to have hands on experience by cutting the apple into fractions, will give students a better understanding of what fractions look like when manipulated.
This book actually shows apples being cut up into the identical fractions within the page.
FRACTIONS
This book would be great example for students to be able to manipulate real apples or objects while the teacher is reading the story aloud. Allowing the students to have hands on experience by cutting the apple into fractions, will give students a better understanding of what fractions look like when manipulated.
This book actually shows apples being cut up into the identical fractions within the page.
FRACTIONS
April 1, 2013
This book would be great to use to teach about fractions. In this book, people have to share an apple and it shows how to cut the apple to divide it fairly. The pictures are great and very clearly show how to cut an apple. I like this book because it would be easy to do a great hands on activity with it. The teacher could have real apples in the class cut into fractions (the students can't cut them for obvious reasons...). The students could do work with equivalent fractions by trading pieces of apple so that each trade is "fair."
April 8, 2013
* 2nd - 4th
* Great introduction to fractions that can be used in the fall.
* Bring in apples and actually cut them to share like the book does (make sure to get the different kinds that the book highlights!)
* Looks at improper fractions, area model, set model and length model.
* Adds fractions together to show parts and whole of an area model
* Shows oranges and pears as well, could do a unit on comparing fruits and their life cycles
* Diagrams the parts of an apple
* Create the best apple pie recipe creative writing for informational texts!
* Great introduction to fractions that can be used in the fall.
* Bring in apples and actually cut them to share like the book does (make sure to get the different kinds that the book highlights!)
* Looks at improper fractions, area model, set model and length model.
* Adds fractions together to show parts and whole of an area model
* Shows oranges and pears as well, could do a unit on comparing fruits and their life cycles
* Diagrams the parts of an apple
* Create the best apple pie recipe creative writing for informational texts!
April 7, 2014
This is an excellent book about fractions. Most students can relate to apples and have clear imaginations about apples. The story informs about different types of apples. I could recreate this book by reading it and having the apples for every student so they would grasp the fraction concept much easier. Then the students could snack on something healthy. This book reminded my personal learning about fractions. I assume that will help my students to learn as well, because they will have a direct contact to the apples and also experience the halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, tenths etc.
June 27, 2016
A book about fractions which uses apples to show fractions. I love how this applies to real life. It also shows different types of apples. And after reading about fractions with apples, you can apply this directly by slicing apples into slices and having a healthy snack. Bonus. The only thing, though, I had a problem with is using tiny people to show apple fractions instead of normal people with kids. It makes sense that the apples need to be seen closely to notice the fractions, but there could have been at least some kids who could learn along with the reader.
April 18, 2012
Playful elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and more. Young readers will also learn about varieties of apples, including Golden and Red Delicious, Granny Smiths, Cortlands, and even Asian Pears. In my classroom I bring in all different kinds of apples and we learn about fractions, we graph our favorite kinds, and use our senses to tell the kind of apple! Students in my class love this book!
April 11, 2013
Can be used in the older grades 1-4 grade. It is great for introducing fractions and talking about them based on 1/2, 1/4, 1/3 etc.. I like the idea of apples and how easy it is for you to bring in apples to share with the story. You could break into small groups and tell each group to show us how they could get a different fraction by dividing their own different apples. You can add fractions together to show the part and the whole of a whole apple. Very cute!
March 14, 2012
This is a wonderful book to read to children who are beginning to learn about fractions. It also helps them to learn about many kinds of apples. On Tuesday, I brought all the apple varieties mentioned in the book to school. I sat on the carpet with my students and we read the book, cut the apples to match the book, and then ate the goodness that laid before us. It was fun!
April 16, 2012
This book can be used to introduce students to fractions. Elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and tenths. Based on the standards, children must correctly learn how to divide fractions. Fractions can be challenging to teach, using a simple yet effective book at this one surely make things easier.
December 3, 2012
This is an awesome themed book, the teacher could bring out during his/her apple unit. Even more, the book is great for introducing those weird things called "fractions". The book demostrates how some little elves work hard at dividing apples evenly. At the end of the book, there is also a treat, showing you other foods that you can divide easily and evenly.
April 11, 2013
Great informational text on apples and fractions. Great for use in the fall when apples are everywhere and teacher's best treat! The book discusses important ideas such as fractions as part of a whole and ways to EQUALLY share the apple. Fruits and food in general are great tools to help teach young children fractions.
Ages 6-10.
Ages 6-10.
December 2, 2013
This book is about fractions using apples. Children reading this book will also learn about the different types of apples, and how to make or understand fractions. The book can be beneficial in class for children to comprehend how to do fractions so that they can carry what they learned with them through life.
April 1, 2014
Great book for fractions. It starts so simple and then gradually gets more into adding fractions and simplifying them. I personally would use them book in my classroom because it introduces fractions in a non threatening way. Most kids don't like fractions but this book introduces them in a fun way.
April 1, 2014
I thought this book was written very clever. I liked how the author tied math, well fractions, with food...What better way to teach math?! I liked how they used the examples of using slices from apples and oranges. I know that helped me understand what was being taught in the book. I think this book would be great for students who are learning about fractions.
April 6, 2012
This book is great to teach students about fractions. It can be used for students in 1-3 grade. It demonstrates how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and many more. It can also be used to teach students in Kindergarten about the different types of apples.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews