Children's Book Author Jerry Pallotta Speaks to Elementary School Students

Jerry Pallotta pretty much has the best job ever.

He travels from city-to-city, he meets fascinating people and well, he has lots of adoring young fans. Is he a rock star? No. He’s a children’s book author.

Pallotta, who hails from Boston, is in town this week speaking to students at Shuler, Brookview and Walnut Hills Elementary Schools about what it’s like to be a children's book writer.

“I talk about working with illustrators, where my ideas come from, how I got my start and basically what I do,” said Pallotta. “I get really good feedback and it’s really a lot of fun.”

Pallotta wrote, designed, researched and edited his first book – an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean – in 1985. His desire to write, he admits, came at the urging of his wife Linda to read to their four kids who are all now grown.

“My career started when my wife made me read to our kids,” he said. “I think I just learned how to appreciate children’s books.”

Now, more than 25 years after his first published book, Pallotta boasts an impressive 41 books on his resume. Some of his favorites include "Dory Story" and the multitude of alphabet books he’s written.

“I don’t have one particular favorite,“ he said. “But I am most proud of the really creative ones like the alphabet and fraction books.”

Carrie Foell, a teacher librarian at Brookview Elementary, said kids love Pallotta’s books for the same reasons he does.

“His books are really popular with students, especially the alphabet ones,” Foell said. “They’re really interesting because he hides pictures in the drawings. One book has hidden messages, another has the states and capitols hidden in the pictures. The kids have a lot of fun reading the books but also finding the little extra things too.”

Foell said Pallotta's visit is a special treat for elementary students.

"It's rare and exciting, "Foell said. "This is definitely not an opportunity we get every day."

Pallotta said if there’s one thing he stresses on and off the speaking tour – it’s that it’s never too early to read to your kids.

“I always say read to your kids and magical things happen,” he said.

Pallotta will be speaking to students at Brookview today and tomorrow at Walnut Hills.  For more information on Jerry Pallotta, check out his website.