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Dory Story
Be prepared for a few surprises when Danny ventures out into the bay in his dory.
Although taking the dory out solo is strictly forbidden, Danny cannot resist the calm waters of the bay. And that's where the adventure begins. He thinks rowing into a school of bluefish is trouble enough, but wait until the whales enter the picture. Danny encounters one sea creature after another and learns about the ocean food chain in the process. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, the story takes an unexpected twist.
With brilliant and vibrant illustrations, readers will feel the excitement of being out on the water surrounded by ocean creatures. The life and the life cycle of the ocean will fascinate young readers.
Although taking the dory out solo is strictly forbidden, Danny cannot resist the calm waters of the bay. And that's where the adventure begins. He thinks rowing into a school of bluefish is trouble enough, but wait until the whales enter the picture. Danny encounters one sea creature after another and learns about the ocean food chain in the process. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, the story takes an unexpected twist.
With brilliant and vibrant illustrations, readers will feel the excitement of being out on the water surrounded by ocean creatures. The life and the life cycle of the ocean will fascinate young readers.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2000
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
269 books117 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 55 reviews
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February 17, 2026Hard to rate because it's terrifying but all fine in the end - my kiddo was mortified and then delighted.
April 6, 2017
Although I am a fan of this particular author I would have to say that this book is a bit on the borderline for me. Having steered away from his alphabet books, Jerry Pallotta has given his readers a new type of read that is still educational while capturing the spirit of nature but with a lot more imagination than is normally found within his normal genre.
What I liked about the actual book is the fact that the boy is a learner who has been encouraged by the adults in his life to be curious and to respect the ocean for what it is. Unfortunately he doesn't respect the warnings of those same adults thus is presented with a nice wedge of the food cycle although to ease the message another line is dropped that splits off from the main wedge.
Unfortunately the writing style doesn't really match the story as much since there is only so much plot you can make to follow the food chain without ending up as dinner or having an unrealistic adventure. For those who like happy endings the ending itself is a bit of a surprise and although it helped the reader to size the story it basically took away from the reading while having me give it so few stars.
Otherwise although I am fan of the artwork there just wasn't enough room in the photos to be able to showcase everything that the story was telling. Maybe it was the fact that I was reading a digital copy or maybe it was just since there was only so much room that could be presented but the tuna weren't really given a clear picture while the whale appearing also seemed a bit outlandish. Most pleasant though was to try to find where the tern was going to be on each page spread.
Definitely a decent book to read at least once if you are trying to teach your child(ren) what it would look like to be a witness to the food chain without the bloody gore or to even encourage children to write adventures of their own.
What I liked about the actual book is the fact that the boy is a learner who has been encouraged by the adults in his life to be curious and to respect the ocean for what it is. Unfortunately he doesn't respect the warnings of those same adults thus is presented with a nice wedge of the food cycle although to ease the message another line is dropped that splits off from the main wedge.
Unfortunately the writing style doesn't really match the story as much since there is only so much plot you can make to follow the food chain without ending up as dinner or having an unrealistic adventure. For those who like happy endings the ending itself is a bit of a surprise and although it helped the reader to size the story it basically took away from the reading while having me give it so few stars.
Otherwise although I am fan of the artwork there just wasn't enough room in the photos to be able to showcase everything that the story was telling. Maybe it was the fact that I was reading a digital copy or maybe it was just since there was only so much room that could be presented but the tuna weren't really given a clear picture while the whale appearing also seemed a bit outlandish. Most pleasant though was to try to find where the tern was going to be on each page spread.
Definitely a decent book to read at least once if you are trying to teach your child(ren) what it would look like to be a witness to the food chain without the bloody gore or to even encourage children to write adventures of their own.
July 24, 2019
This book did scare a bit. I didn't realize how much of a terrifying story it was, until I remembered how traumatizing it was when I almost died swimming in the ocean. Since then, I hate going in marine aquatic waters. I don't like going into habitats that aren't designed for humans, such as pools and waterparks.
If I ever go to any marine aquatic waters, and there are living creatures inhabiting the ecosystem, I stay as close as possible to the shore. I'm terrified of marine life. Just absolutely terrified. This book reminded me of all the traumatizing experiences I had with water.
Good book, but not a fun experience and memory that the book provides recollection for, which explains the rating. The rating is purely because it recollected the traumatic experience I had with the water.
If I ever go to any marine aquatic waters, and there are living creatures inhabiting the ecosystem, I stay as close as possible to the shore. I'm terrified of marine life. Just absolutely terrified. This book reminded me of all the traumatizing experiences I had with water.
Good book, but not a fun experience and memory that the book provides recollection for, which explains the rating. The rating is purely because it recollected the traumatic experience I had with the water.
October 12, 2020
This book was so good, but it made my heart race! As I was reading, different scary things would happen, and I was getting scared for the boy!
However, I absolutely love the book, And it would be such a great book to introduce predator and pray to children. There is a specific page in the book that explains a food chain a perfectly. "killer whales eat tuna, tuna eat blue fish, blue fish eat mackerels, mackerels eat sand eels, sand eels eat shrimp, and shrimp eat plankton" (Pallotta and Biedrzycki). My favorite part of the book was the fact that as I was reading, I didn't want to stop because I wanted to know it was going to happen next. I love books that make you want to turn the page. Also, the illustrations were so beautifully done, they really added to the story and made your heart pump fast!
However, I absolutely love the book, And it would be such a great book to introduce predator and pray to children. There is a specific page in the book that explains a food chain a perfectly. "killer whales eat tuna, tuna eat blue fish, blue fish eat mackerels, mackerels eat sand eels, sand eels eat shrimp, and shrimp eat plankton" (Pallotta and Biedrzycki). My favorite part of the book was the fact that as I was reading, I didn't want to stop because I wanted to know it was going to happen next. I love books that make you want to turn the page. Also, the illustrations were so beautifully done, they really added to the story and made your heart pump fast!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 16, 2022Danny was informed by his mother to not go out by the ocean by himself. He couldn't help himself though, there was plankton that glowed, and so much more to explore. One day the ocean was calm so he took the dory out to the ocean and saw all of the sea life. as he kept going out further the fish kept getting larger and larger. Then all of a sudden a whale sprang out of the water and capsized Danny's Boat! all of a sudden Danny started swimming to the rock in the middle of the ocean. All of a sudden Danny heard his mother's voice. Turns out he was in the bath tub telling a story the WHOLE time!
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September 19, 2023Dory story is about a boy who decides to take take the dory boat out on the water even though he knows he is not supposed to without someone with him. On the water, he gets into some trouble while on the water. The boy has to climb up on a rock so that he is safe. At the end, we find out the boy is really in the bath and this is a story he is telling his mom. For the classroom, I would have the children create their own story. They would be able to tell their own story about a topic they love and will be able to draw pictures showing what is happening.
August 26, 2018
The artwork is amazing, it's what drew me to the book in the first place, kudos to David Biedrzycki for doing an amazing job.
It's about a boy, who takes the dory [a type of boat] out without parental supervision, and gets a little over his head.
I love that the kid is interested in animals and learning, and how by telling his story he teaches the readers about plankton, and what kinds of fish eat other kinds of fish. Personally I found the twist at the end kinda funny.
It's about a boy, who takes the dory [a type of boat] out without parental supervision, and gets a little over his head.
I love that the kid is interested in animals and learning, and how by telling his story he teaches the readers about plankton, and what kinds of fish eat other kinds of fish. Personally I found the twist at the end kinda funny.
January 6, 2021
Kind of an interesting concept - kid goes out on his own in a dory, then sees the food chain in action. You start thinking it's a little far fetched when he starts seeing orcas and a humpback whale, but I loved that he pointed out that the humpback doesn't eat orcas, it actually eats the tiniest krill and the food chain is actually more of a food web.
September 16, 2022
This book was about a little boy who wanted to paddle out in his dory boat to a big rock in the middle of the bay. When he gets part way out to the middle between the rock and shore his boat tips over. He has to figure out something to do. He wishes that would have stayed with his boat at first, but he decides to swim the rest of the way to the rock. When he gets there he thinks he hears his mothers voice, but then we find out that he was actually in the bath tub the whole time.
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September 19, 2023This is a great book, it is about a boy who wanted to go out and see animals that light up at night. He then got hit by a fish and fell overboard. He ended up swimming to the nearest rock where he heard his mothers choice. This book shows that you can do a lot with your imagination as he woke up in the bathtub.
September 22, 2023
Dory story is about a young boy who decided to go on a boat all by himself on the water. Even though he was not suppose to go alone. When he was on the water, he was surrounded by some sea creatures! He had to coming up a rock to be safe. At the end he was by his bed room laying down. How I would use this in the classroom, I will have each kids create their own stories with pictures!
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October 11, 2023This book is about a little boy who takes a boat out one day and sees all of the sea-life creatures and experiences what the food chain looks like. At the end of the book there is a plot twist, the boy was actually in his bath tub the whole time. In class I would have students write their own plot twist endings.
May 7, 2019
Danny takes his boat out when he is not supposed to, when he is out on his boat he experiences many different forms of wildlife from whales to a school of fish, this book is a fun book with a great ending.
F&P: I
AR: 1.7
Six traits:
Ideas, organization
F&P: I
AR: 1.7
Six traits:
Ideas, organization
July 19, 2022
A fish story that puts the reader in the midst of the tale, as a young boy takes his dory out alone, and against his parents warning. What happens next is an adventure involving a look at the food chain in the ocean, and the possible dangers of being trapped among the sea creatures.
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September 16, 2022Danny just wants to go to the rock in the middle of the ocean but, on his way there, he saw fish in the sea all the way up the food chain. In class, I would use this in a science lesson for learning about the food chain, or even use a timeline.
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September 20, 2023Dory story is about a book about a boy name Danny who tells the story of the food web in the ocean while he is in his bathtub. In the classroom teacher can have students create ether own who would win story.
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September 24, 2023A boy was never aloud to go outside alone on the boat until he does one day and learns about the food chain. He swam with whales and was stranded in the ocean by himself. Wait, all this time he was in the bathtub playing.
January 21, 2018
An imaginative story of the oceans and the food chain.
February 12, 2019
Food chain book. I thought it was going to go in a different direction. But could be a useful book for program.
February 13, 2019
Could be used in a school age program on the food chain or an ocean program. Ending is a bit of a surprise!
March 28, 2019
89/365
September 2, 2019
Beautiful illustrations but just an okay story for me.
May 6, 2021
What a great book
January 24, 2022
Fun story filled with imagination...and suspense!
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September 16, 2022I liked this book because even I learned information about the ocean food chain. I found out what a dory was just to find out that he was dreaming the entire time.
September 19, 2023
Picture Book: The main character in the book takes the boat out to the bay and ends up falling in the water. The whole time he was in the bathtub.
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September 19, 2023Dory story is a book over how a little girl, doesn't listen. This would be a good book because at the end, it shows that really, is a kid telling the story.
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September 19, 2023This book not only shows the ocean's dangers but also how a food web works. This book also shows us the power of imagination. I would have my students complete a food web.
Want to Read
September 21, 2023A boy goes on his boat and sees the food chain for the fish. The story ends and he’s in his tub.
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September 21, 2023An interesting story that educates children about the food web. The twist ending may feel slightly jarring however.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews