{"id":847856513,"title":"The Skull Alphabet Book","handle":"the-skull-alphabet-book","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Jerry Pallotta\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jerry-pallotta\"\u003eJerry Pallotta\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Ralph Masiello\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/ralph-masiello\"\u003eRalph Masiello\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRiddle me this: what animal beginning with 'L' has binocular vision and is a predator?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Skull Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncredibly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Extinct Alphabet Book\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-extinct-alphabet-book\"\u003eThe Extinct Alphabet Book\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Book series\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/collections\/jerry-pallotta-alphabet-books\"\u003eJerry Pallotta's Alphabet Book series\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-spread.jpg?12659285138404109256\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJerry Pallotta, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction. His combine interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that mesmerize children everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Jerry Pallotta\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jerry-pallotta\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jerry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRalph Masiello, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRalph Masiello -- affectionately known as 'The Icky Bug Man' -- has illustrated several children's books including \u003ci\u003eThe Icky Bug Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Flag We Love\u003c\/i\u003e. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Ralph has produced numerous works of fine art for galleries in addition to picture book illustrations and magazine covers for \u003ci\u003eOmni\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eTennis\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Ralph Masiello\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/ralph-masiello\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Ralph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIRA\/CBC Children's Choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNYSRA Charlotte Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLibrary Media Connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkulls of all shapes and sizes are contained in this newest addition to Jerry Pallotta's alphabet books. Each page contains a different animal head bone along with written and illustrated clues as to its owner. The clues are quite specific, and give the reader enough information to figure out the mystery. Answers are included on a two-page spread between the letters V and W. Additional scientific facts are included to add to the reader's knowledge about skulls. Another feature is hidden pictures of the presidents. However, this does not add anything special to the book and almost seems out of place. Overall, this is a very enjoyable book that would work well with young children who are interested in this topic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePallotta and Masiello, who created such popular alphabet books as \u003ci\u003eThe Icky Bug Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, team up in their most sophisticated offering yet. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a beautiful, detailed oil painting of an animal's skull. In another twist, the name of the animal isn't revealed, but clues to its identity are given by highlighting various parts of the animal's skull, such as the teeth. Other clues are in the background- the skull for C lies beside a mousetrap. Also hidden in the pictures are small portraits of all the U.S. presidents, an amusing but sometimes distracting touch. Obviously this is not meant to help kids learn their ABCs, but some children will pore over it, learning a good deal of animal science and practicing their logic skills along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePallotta continues his series of scientifically oriented alphabets (\u003ci\u003eThe Jet Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e,etc.), with this skillfully illustrated volume focused on mammal skulls as the underlying structure. Each page shows one animal skull, with a paragraph of often humorous, always interesting text that offers information about skull anatomy, similarities and differences between mammals, and scientific \"detective work.\" The mammal names are left for the reader to guess from clues in the text and illustrations, with some animals quite easy to guess, and others requiring much more effort from the organ encased in the human skull. Masiello's (\u003ci\u003eThe Flag We Love\u003c\/i\u003e,etc.) striking paintings show each skull in a related environment (a fox skull in a henhouse, for example), with appropriate flora and fauna clues (ants crawling on an anteater skull, a bamboo stalk in the jaw of the panda bear's skull). On most pages there is another challenge for junior science detectives: skillfully hidden within the illustrations are one or more heads of the presidents (famous human skulls of a sort). Both the presidential names and the mammal names are included on an answer page, but it's left up to each reader's brainpower to match the names with the appropriate illustrations. This answer page, which also includes some nonmammal skulls, is oddly placed near the end of the alphabet rather than at the end of the volume. Touches of offbeat humor are found throughout, showing that for those who use their heads, science can be both educational and fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-cvr.jpg?16854051196439179748\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-hires.zip?16854051196439179748\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-0-88106-915-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-05-17T17:26:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-05-17T17:08:18-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Alphabet Books","Browse by Subject_Animals \u0026 Dinosaurs","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature","halloween"],"price":795,"price_min":795,"price_max":795,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":2362599361,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"69150","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Skull Alphabet Book - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":795,"weight":193,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":1,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-0-88106-915-0","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/skull-alphabet-book-cover.jpg?v=1586805687"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/skull-alphabet-book-cover.jpg?v=1586805687","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"The Skull Alphabet Book cover image","id":5804399460431,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.212,"height":495,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/skull-alphabet-book-cover.jpg?v=1586805687"},"aspect_ratio":1.212,"height":495,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/skull-alphabet-book-cover.jpg?v=1586805687","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Jerry Pallotta\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jerry-pallotta\"\u003eJerry Pallotta\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Ralph Masiello\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/ralph-masiello\"\u003eRalph Masiello\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRiddle me this: what animal beginning with 'L' has binocular vision and is a predator?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Skull Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncredibly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Extinct Alphabet Book\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-extinct-alphabet-book\"\u003eThe Extinct Alphabet Book\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet Book series\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/collections\/jerry-pallotta-alphabet-books\"\u003eJerry Pallotta's Alphabet Book series\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-spread.jpg?12659285138404109256\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJerry Pallotta, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction. His combine interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that mesmerize children everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Jerry Pallotta\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jerry-pallotta\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jerry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRalph Masiello, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRalph Masiello -- affectionately known as 'The Icky Bug Man' -- has illustrated several children's books including \u003ci\u003eThe Icky Bug Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Flag We Love\u003c\/i\u003e. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Ralph has produced numerous works of fine art for galleries in addition to picture book illustrations and magazine covers for \u003ci\u003eOmni\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eTennis\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Ralph Masiello\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/ralph-masiello\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Ralph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIRA\/CBC Children's Choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNYSRA Charlotte Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLibrary Media Connection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkulls of all shapes and sizes are contained in this newest addition to Jerry Pallotta's alphabet books. Each page contains a different animal head bone along with written and illustrated clues as to its owner. The clues are quite specific, and give the reader enough information to figure out the mystery. Answers are included on a two-page spread between the letters V and W. Additional scientific facts are included to add to the reader's knowledge about skulls. Another feature is hidden pictures of the presidents. However, this does not add anything special to the book and almost seems out of place. Overall, this is a very enjoyable book that would work well with young children who are interested in this topic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePallotta and Masiello, who created such popular alphabet books as \u003ci\u003eThe Icky Bug Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e, team up in their most sophisticated offering yet. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a beautiful, detailed oil painting of an animal's skull. In another twist, the name of the animal isn't revealed, but clues to its identity are given by highlighting various parts of the animal's skull, such as the teeth. Other clues are in the background- the skull for C lies beside a mousetrap. Also hidden in the pictures are small portraits of all the U.S. presidents, an amusing but sometimes distracting touch. Obviously this is not meant to help kids learn their ABCs, but some children will pore over it, learning a good deal of animal science and practicing their logic skills along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePallotta continues his series of scientifically oriented alphabets (\u003ci\u003eThe Jet Alphabet Book\u003c\/i\u003e,etc.), with this skillfully illustrated volume focused on mammal skulls as the underlying structure. Each page shows one animal skull, with a paragraph of often humorous, always interesting text that offers information about skull anatomy, similarities and differences between mammals, and scientific \"detective work.\" The mammal names are left for the reader to guess from clues in the text and illustrations, with some animals quite easy to guess, and others requiring much more effort from the organ encased in the human skull. Masiello's (\u003ci\u003eThe Flag We Love\u003c\/i\u003e,etc.) striking paintings show each skull in a related environment (a fox skull in a henhouse, for example), with appropriate flora and fauna clues (ants crawling on an anteater skull, a bamboo stalk in the jaw of the panda bear's skull). On most pages there is another challenge for junior science detectives: skillfully hidden within the illustrations are one or more heads of the presidents (famous human skulls of a sort). Both the presidential names and the mammal names are included on an answer page, but it's left up to each reader's brainpower to match the names with the appropriate illustrations. This answer page, which also includes some nonmammal skulls, is oddly placed near the end of the alphabet rather than at the end of the volume. Touches of offbeat humor are found throughout, showing that for those who use their heads, science can be both educational and fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-cvr.jpg?16854051196439179748\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/skull-alphabet-book-hires.zip?16854051196439179748\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-0-88106-915-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

The Skull Alphabet Book

By: Jerry Pallotta / Illustrated by: Ralph Masiello

Riddle me this: 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.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Jerry Pallotta, author

Jerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction. His combine interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations that mesmerize children everywhere.

Read more about Jerry.


Ralph Masiello, illustrator

Ralph Masiello -- affectionately known as 'The Icky Bug Man' -- has illustrated several children's books including The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, The Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book, and The Flag We Love. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Ralph has produced numerous works of fine art for galleries in addition to picture book illustrations and magazine covers for Omni and Tennis.

Read more about Ralph.

  • IRA/CBC Children's Choices
  • NYSRA Charlotte Award

Library Media Connection, starred review

Skulls of all shapes and sizes are contained in this newest addition to Jerry Pallotta's alphabet books. Each page contains a different animal head bone along with written and illustrated clues as to its owner. The clues are quite specific, and give the reader enough information to figure out the mystery. Answers are included on a two-page spread between the letters V and W. Additional scientific facts are included to add to the reader's knowledge about skulls. Another feature is hidden pictures of the presidents. However, this does not add anything special to the book and almost seems out of place. Overall, this is a very enjoyable book that would work well with young children who are interested in this topic.

Booklist

Pallotta and Masiello, who created such popular alphabet books as The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, team up in their most sophisticated offering yet. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a beautiful, detailed oil painting of an animal's skull. In another twist, the name of the animal isn't revealed, but clues to its identity are given by highlighting various parts of the animal's skull, such as the teeth. Other clues are in the background- the skull for C lies beside a mousetrap. Also hidden in the pictures are small portraits of all the U.S. presidents, an amusing but sometimes distracting touch. Obviously this is not meant to help kids learn their ABCs, but some children will pore over it, learning a good deal of animal science and practicing their logic skills along the way.

Kirkus Reviews

Pallotta continues his series of scientifically oriented alphabets (The Jet Alphabet Book,etc.), with this skillfully illustrated volume focused on mammal skulls as the underlying structure. Each page shows one animal skull, with a paragraph of often humorous, always interesting text that offers information about skull anatomy, similarities and differences between mammals, and scientific "detective work." The mammal names are left for the reader to guess from clues in the text and illustrations, with some animals quite easy to guess, and others requiring much more effort from the organ encased in the human skull. Masiello's (The Flag We Love,etc.) striking paintings show each skull in a related environment (a fox skull in a henhouse, for example), with appropriate flora and fauna clues (ants crawling on an anteater skull, a bamboo stalk in the jaw of the panda bear's skull). On most pages there is another challenge for junior science detectives: skillfully hidden within the illustrations are one or more heads of the presidents (famous human skulls of a sort). Both the presidential names and the mammal names are included on an answer page, but it's left up to each reader's brainpower to match the names with the appropriate illustrations. This answer page, which also includes some nonmammal skulls, is oddly placed near the end of the alphabet rather than at the end of the volume. Touches of offbeat humor are found throughout, showing that for those who use their heads, science can be both educational and fun.

Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-88106-915-0

Ages: 4-7
Page count: 32