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Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Books
The Skull Alphabet Book
Riddle me what animal beginning with 'L' has binocular vision and is a predator?
THE SKULL ALPHABET BOOK makes young readers use their brains. Children learn simple facts and hone their critical thinking skills as they deduce the identity of 26 different animals arranged in alphabetical order.
Incredibly rich, realistic, and inventive oil paintings by Ralph Masiello lay a trail of clever clues to the identity of the animals represented only by their skulls. Look even closer and find hidden in the unique settings portraits of 43 of the presidents of the United States.
THE SKULL ALPHABET BOOK makes young readers use their brains. Children learn simple facts and hone their critical thinking skills as they deduce the identity of 26 different animals arranged in alphabetical order.
Incredibly rich, realistic, and inventive oil paintings by Ralph Masiello lay a trail of clever clues to the identity of the animals represented only by their skulls. Look even closer and find hidden in the unique settings portraits of 43 of the presidents of the United States.
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
93 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 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 16, 2019
Jerry Pallotta shares another alphabet book, but this time with a twist! The text gives clues as to which mammal's skull is portrayed for each letter of the alphabet with answers given near the end of the book. An added bonus: various American presidents are also hidden in the illustrations. Again, look for the answers somewhere in the book! I learned a lot myself about various mammals and their skulls! Highly recommend for primary school (as well as older grades) children!
June 8, 2020
A grim but fascinating trip through the alphabet. The reader is presented with a series of animal skulls - one for each letter. There is much to learn about each skull, and clues are provided, but as to what manner of critter once strode around with said skull perched on its head - the author is mum.
As you can see, the artwork by Ralph Masiello is spectacular. This is a superb book for older children who won't be bothered by the idea of death.
As you can see, the artwork by Ralph Masiello is spectacular. This is a superb book for older children who won't be bothered by the idea of death.
January 6, 2021
I sure do enjoy the way the reader gets to do the work. It's not too hard to figure out which skull came from which mammal, but it does help one remember what one learns. For example "Eyes in front, likes to hunt. Eyes beside, likes to hide" is just words, but using that rhyme to figure out what is pictured is engaging... and we all know that engagement leads to better mastery.
Two questions prompt the reader to do further research. There are also hidden images of the US presidents for ppl who like to examine pictures. The answers are at the end, but hidden. I'm giving this five stars because I think it will appeal to almost everybody of all ages, and I am encouraging husband and son to work through it.
Two questions prompt the reader to do further research. There are also hidden images of the US presidents for ppl who like to examine pictures. The answers are at the end, but hidden. I'm giving this five stars because I think it will appeal to almost everybody of all ages, and I am encouraging husband and son to work through it.
January 12, 2022
This is probably the first "morbid non-fiction, but make it a picture book" that I've encountered, and I dig the premise. It's an older-kids alphabet book, by virtue of content but also because it's dotted with teaching tidbits and turns the identity of the skulls into a mystery, inviting active learning. The illustrations are richly detailed, classically staged oil paintings. But the humor doesn't land, the skulls aren't that varied (probably in the effort to make sure they're recognizable), and the hidden picture American Presidents are wildly out of place and unwanted. A weird little book, I'm glad to've checked it out, but I wish it were better.
April 18, 2017
This book is a great way to teach kids logical reasoning. Each skull has hints that go with it to help the reader identify each skull, and they're just the right mix of simple enough for little kids to understand and challenging enough that they'll have to really think about the answer. I was also thrilled to see that on some pages, different bones of the skull are labeled, so kids can learn more about how the skulls of the animals in the book are actually put together.
January 8, 2021
Very good art work and this book tries to get you to think and research for answers. Very enjoyable.
October 29, 2018
1. Awards received: non
2. Appropriate grade levels: 1st and 2nd grade
3. Original Summary: "The Skull Alphabet Book" takes the reader through the entire alphabet using the skulls of mammals. The book is set up as a guessing game. Readers are encouraged to guess which animal skull is illustrated.
4. Original Review: "The Skull Alphabet Book" is perfect for older readers with a knack for science. Each page includes scientific illustrations and factual information. This book would be best read with an adult, some of the words are difficult to pronounce/ understand.
5. I can see this book being used by students as a source for a writing/ research project. Each page includes a number of facts about the specific animal, and mammals and skulls in general.
This book would also make a great addition to a classroom library for free read. This is the type of book children will go back to time and time again.
2. Appropriate grade levels: 1st and 2nd grade
3. Original Summary: "The Skull Alphabet Book" takes the reader through the entire alphabet using the skulls of mammals. The book is set up as a guessing game. Readers are encouraged to guess which animal skull is illustrated.
4. Original Review: "The Skull Alphabet Book" is perfect for older readers with a knack for science. Each page includes scientific illustrations and factual information. This book would be best read with an adult, some of the words are difficult to pronounce/ understand.
5. I can see this book being used by students as a source for a writing/ research project. Each page includes a number of facts about the specific animal, and mammals and skulls in general.
This book would also make a great addition to a classroom library for free read. This is the type of book children will go back to time and time again.
December 16, 2018
A truly incredible book that’s witty, beautifully illustrated and challenges kids to think and use clues while teaching them very important facts about mammals. It even takes a break from mammal skulls to show a few non-mammal skulls, and weaved into those pages (discreetly) are all the names of US presidents up to publication date and the answers to each skull of the alphabet! The only thing that made me go “huh?” was juxtaposing all of this concreteness & science with “U” for UFO. Ties in with the humor of the book, I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2020
I forgot how much I love this book! There is so much great stuff in it: mammels, mammels compared to other animal families, bones, science, and using research/logic instead of guessing. BONUS: Small sketches of all of the presidents (upto George W. Bush....the book was published in 2002) and hidden within the illustrations throughout the book. Weird combination but kids love it! As do I!
Don’t be fooled by its appearance as an alphabet book and think it’s only for the little kids. There is lots for all kids in this book!
Don’t be fooled by its appearance as an alphabet book and think it’s only for the little kids. There is lots for all kids in this book!
December 4, 2016
This book is a good way to "de-spookify" skulls for kids. It's also a good way to teach kids logical reasoning and basic research skills, as the name of each animal is not given and the reader is encouraged to use the visual clues to find the answer. On the rare occasions that the names are given, the reader is encouraged to find out why the animal appeared under the letter it did (cow is under J for example).
October 8, 2019
This book is AWESOME! Not only does it have kids guess why each skull pictured is on the alphabet page, it has hidden pictures of the presidents too, plus a bunch of scientific facts about the animals! (you have to search throughout the book for the answers to each letter...). So good at making you think!!!
October 13, 2019
This book is perfect.
It begins with a large illustration of an animal skull accompanied by:
"WARNING! This book contains the alphabet. If you are afraid of the alphabet, do not read any further."
Ralph Masiello has done an exquisite job with the illustrations, and the interplay of art and text is a delight. This was my best find at the SF Library book sale this year.
It begins with a large illustration of an animal skull accompanied by:
"WARNING! This book contains the alphabet. If you are afraid of the alphabet, do not read any further."
Ralph Masiello has done an exquisite job with the illustrations, and the interplay of art and text is a delight. This was my best find at the SF Library book sale this year.
June 1, 2023
That Jerry Pallota gets me every time: taking non-fiction topics that don’t interest me, and making them interesting! I appreciate his mild humor in all his books. This one, the children particularly enjoyed having to guess the skull rather than being told. And also finding the hidden presidents on each page! What?! Look out!!
April 5, 2023
I didn’t really care for this book at all. I found that it would be confusing to young children. I also don’t like that some of the letters didn’t actually represent the name for the animal but rather a fact about the animal. Thumbs down for me.
July 9, 2021
Fast read on account of it being a beautiful picture book. Big recommend.
September 30, 2021
It was fun to look at the skulls but it didn't tell me the animal and I didn't like that part.
September 30, 2023
Wish the book had a list of the skulls they used at the end since the author had us guessing what the skull was.
November 6, 2013
The Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads selected six books for the October 2013 - Alphabet books discussion. Jerry Pallotta has written several alphabet books and since I couldn't get the one chosen (The Bird Alphabet Book), I picked out a few of his others to read with our girls.
We read The Freshwater Alphabet Book first and we thought it was okay. Our girls loved the concept of this one - the skulls are cool and they enjoyed guessing which animal it belonged to. The illustrations are marvelous.
The addition of hidden Presidents in the various scenes was just plain weird, and I would've liked to have a key to figure out which Presidents were on which pages. Some President are obvious, but others were far more obscure and some of the images weren't very clear.
Overall, we thought this was a fun and engaging book, certainly appropriate for older elementary school-age children. We enjoyed reading it together.
We read The Freshwater Alphabet Book first and we thought it was okay. Our girls loved the concept of this one - the skulls are cool and they enjoyed guessing which animal it belonged to. The illustrations are marvelous.
The addition of hidden Presidents in the various scenes was just plain weird, and I would've liked to have a key to figure out which Presidents were on which pages. Some President are obvious, but others were far more obscure and some of the images weren't very clear.
Overall, we thought this was a fun and engaging book, certainly appropriate for older elementary school-age children. We enjoyed reading it together.
February 19, 2014
I was in the ABC/Counting book genre study group, and this book was recommended to me by my boyfriend's mom, who is a reading specialist at an elementary school. I'm glad she recommended it to me because I never really thought about an ABC book being any more complex than "A is for apple, B is for ball…" This book contains pictures of various mammal skulls that start with the beginning of each letter of the alphabet. Little hints are given in the description as to what kind of animal the skull belongs to. I learned some new things by reading this, so it's definitely not your run of the mill ABC book.
This book could be read to students both young and old. I can imagine students being excited about using visual and context clues in order to figure out what animal each skull belongs to. This book can be quite challenging, which is a good thing!
This book could be read to students both young and old. I can imagine students being excited about using visual and context clues in order to figure out what animal each skull belongs to. This book can be quite challenging, which is a good thing!
July 21, 2022
Now this is an alphabet book I can get behind! There’s plenty of clever hints to behold as you guess! The break section with the US presidents stops at George W. Bush but whatever. I’m gonna list down what I got from the hints.
A is for Anteater
B is for Baboon
C is for Cat
D is for Dog
E is for Elephant
F is for Fox
G is for Gorilla
H is for Human
I is for Impala
J is for Jersey cow
K is for Kangaroo
L is for Lion
M is for Monkey
N is for Narwhal
O is for Orangutan
P is for Panda
Q is for Quill hog/Porcupine
R is for Ram
S is for Shrew(is it? The book’s break section didn’t seem to include it and I for whatever reason thought it was some bat.)
T is for Tiger
U is for United for Order(haha)
V is for Vampire bat
W is for Warthog
X is for Xenarthra
Y is for Yak
Z is for Zebra
A is for Anteater
B is for Baboon
C is for Cat
D is for Dog
E is for Elephant
F is for Fox
G is for Gorilla
H is for Human
I is for Impala
J is for Jersey cow
K is for Kangaroo
L is for Lion
M is for Monkey
N is for Narwhal
O is for Orangutan
P is for Panda
Q is for Quill hog/Porcupine
R is for Ram
S is for Shrew(is it? The book’s break section didn’t seem to include it and I for whatever reason thought it was some bat.)
T is for Tiger
U is for United for Order(haha)
V is for Vampire bat
W is for Warthog
X is for Xenarthra
Y is for Yak
Z is for Zebra
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2016
I've seen a lot of alphabet books in my time but this one takes top honors. We had a presentation at my local library this evening called Skull and Bones and this is one of the books that the library staff had on the table for perusal, so I sat down and read it. They show illustrations of different animal skulls and then give you a clue in rhyme to help you figure out what the skull belongs to. I think I got all of them but 2 so it could be challenging even to older children. Even finding the answers involves a little bit of problem solving!! Loved it!!!
June 26, 2009
This is the first Jerry Pallotta book I've ever read that I didn't just love. The problem is that he doesn't tell you the name of the skull, you have to guess. Many of them are guessable, and he does have the answers in the back, but the different format was a little disappointing. The whole guessing thing doesn't really work with my learning style because when I recall later I can't remember if the thing I think it is is the thing that I guessed or the thing that it really was.
March 16, 2016
Okay, I know, this is a picture book. But, if you have even a tiny bit of an interest in natural science and would like to identify animals by their skulls, this is pretty much the book for you. It is clever, entertaining, and incredibly educational for such a short book. You should definitely peruse through its pages regardless of what age you are. I am just a little bit tempted to buy it... which probably means I will. :\
November 7, 2008
As creepy as this book looks, I got it for Ben to look at and we love it! It shows a animal skull for each letter and then they give you clues as to what animal it is. Ben loves it and we have figured out all but two! Like I said, kind of creepy but we have both learned a lot and it is one of our favorite books to look at!
August 6, 2013
Asks the reader to identify, by learning functions of facial bones and teeth, the skull of an animal for each letter of the alphabet. A very neat and researched book that older children will enjoy!
Themes: Alphabet books, skulls, animal physiology
Themes: Alphabet books, skulls, animal physiology
September 20, 2013
Much more sophisticated than the average alphabet book. Figure out what animals are represented by each letter of the alphabet by identifying their skulls. Added bonus - find the pictures of the presidents' heads in the illustrations.
October 29, 2014
Definitely went over a lot of the kids' heads- I found myself changing want I was reading for the sake of the younger kids. That being said, in a private one-on-one setting, where you could slowly read andvreviewband revisit, this would be great!
February 16, 2010
Really skillful illustrations, written well, and even funny. Real skulls were used as references, and it definitely shows in the quality of illustration.
April 24, 2014
Fun. Try to figure out what animal the skull belongs to. Learn about skulls along with the alphabet.
April 16, 2014
We LOVED this book. Read it to the kids. But it's not just you read it to them. You find other information. It's funny and silly and very informative. Absolutely loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews