Boats and the need for them have been around for thousands of years. Reed boats might have been the first boat ever to be built. The Vikings built wooden ships that were strong and ornate. And now boats like an Aircraft Carrier house 6,000 people and can carry over 100 planes. In Jerry Pallotta's newest book we get to see an entire alphabet of floating wonders.
David Biedrzycki has provided dramatic settings for a variety of boats and captures the mood of each body of water. In one he paints a calm lake where a red canoe glides across the water and in another the stormy swells of an angry ocean tossing a three-masted Xebec. The facts about each boat are sprinkled with traditional Pallotta humor.
Alphabet books are common enough, but here's one for children with a nautical turn of mind. The Boat Alphabet Book covers the waterfront with neat capsule descriptions and attractive color illustrations of each craft. Pallotta cleverly manages to come up with boats even for such tough letters as U (Umiak) and X (Xebec). If you don't believe him, look them up—I did. Still one could have wished for a few more commonplace examples, like A for Ark or R for Rowboat. —Parade Magazine
Jerry Pallotta’s newest alphabet book features boats and ships, from the gigantic aircraft carrier to the one-person kayak. With characteristic wit and humor, the author explains basic nautical terms like hull, bow, and stern, and introduces more challenging topics, such as the workings of a steam engine. Young and old alike will want to get on board for this lavishly illustrated and informative trip through the alphabet. —Boating for Beginners
The Boat Alphabet Book is a fine addition to Pallotta's pack of alpha-books—and a great addition to any teacher's transportation curriculum! Don't miss this trip through boat history. Get on board with Jerry Pallotta! —Education World
Jerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction. His books combine interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that mesmerize children everywhere.
When Jerry began writing, he was a full-time insurance salesman. He wrote, edited, and produced his first book out of his garage and sold 5,000 copies to the New England Aquarium, where it became a bestseller. Jerry then devoted himself full-time to writing and making school and library appearances. Jerry has written many books for Charlesbridge, including The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, Dory Story, and Butterfly Counting.
David Biedrzycki is the author and illustrator of the Breaking News series, the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, and the Me and My Dragon series. He has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as "The Amazon Trail" and "Odell Down Under." David has collaborated with children's author Jerry Pallotta on The Beetle Alphabet Book, The Boat Alphabet Book, and The Freshwater Alphabet Book. He grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
View titles by David Biedrzycki
Did you ever wonder why the first boat was built? Was it to cross a lake, to travel down a river, to explore, or just to have fun? And what did the first boat look like? Maybe it was a log or a carved-out tree. Whatever it was, those first sailors probably never imagined . . .
Boats and the need for them have been around for thousands of years. Reed boats might have been the first boat ever to be built. The Vikings built wooden ships that were strong and ornate. And now boats like an Aircraft Carrier house 6,000 people and can carry over 100 planes. In Jerry Pallotta's newest book we get to see an entire alphabet of floating wonders.
David Biedrzycki has provided dramatic settings for a variety of boats and captures the mood of each body of water. In one he paints a calm lake where a red canoe glides across the water and in another the stormy swells of an angry ocean tossing a three-masted Xebec. The facts about each boat are sprinkled with traditional Pallotta humor.
Praise
Alphabet books are common enough, but here's one for children with a nautical turn of mind. The Boat Alphabet Book covers the waterfront with neat capsule descriptions and attractive color illustrations of each craft. Pallotta cleverly manages to come up with boats even for such tough letters as U (Umiak) and X (Xebec). If you don't believe him, look them up—I did. Still one could have wished for a few more commonplace examples, like A for Ark or R for Rowboat. —Parade Magazine
Jerry Pallotta’s newest alphabet book features boats and ships, from the gigantic aircraft carrier to the one-person kayak. With characteristic wit and humor, the author explains basic nautical terms like hull, bow, and stern, and introduces more challenging topics, such as the workings of a steam engine. Young and old alike will want to get on board for this lavishly illustrated and informative trip through the alphabet. —Boating for Beginners
The Boat Alphabet Book is a fine addition to Pallotta's pack of alpha-books—and a great addition to any teacher's transportation curriculum! Don't miss this trip through boat history. Get on board with Jerry Pallotta! —Education World
Author
Jerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction. His books combine interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that mesmerize children everywhere.
When Jerry began writing, he was a full-time insurance salesman. He wrote, edited, and produced his first book out of his garage and sold 5,000 copies to the New England Aquarium, where it became a bestseller. Jerry then devoted himself full-time to writing and making school and library appearances. Jerry has written many books for Charlesbridge, including The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, Dory Story, and Butterfly Counting.
David Biedrzycki is the author and illustrator of the Breaking News series, the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, and the Me and My Dragon series. He has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as "The Amazon Trail" and "Odell Down Under." David has collaborated with children's author Jerry Pallotta on The Beetle Alphabet Book, The Boat Alphabet Book, and The Freshwater Alphabet Book. He grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
View titles by David Biedrzycki
Excerpt
Did you ever wonder why the first boat was built? Was it to cross a lake, to travel down a river, to explore, or just to have fun? And what did the first boat look like? Maybe it was a log or a carved-out tree. Whatever it was, those first sailors probably never imagined . . .
