The Skull Alphabet Book [Paperback]

Jerry Pallotta (Author), Ralph Masiello (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Twenty-six mammal skulls from anteater to zebra are highlighted. Readers can see each skull, but are not told immediately to which animal it belongs. In some cases the features of the skull itself give it away, as in elephant or ram. Other times, Pallotta gives verbal clues: "A sly person can identify this skull-there are only three letters in its name" points to fox. There are also visual hints such as the mousetrap next to the cat skull and the bananas upon which the monkey skull rests. Others, such as baboon and gorilla, are particularly tough. On a spread between V and W the names of each animal featured in the alphabet are hidden among drawings of non-mammal skulls. In addition to the clues, the author works in scattered facts about skulls in general and about the individual animals. This all works pretty well, but a "hidden presidents" feature is less successful. Most illustrations include one or more U.S. presidents' faces hidden in the background or even on the skull itself. This extra feature may please kids who just love to look, but the incongruous portraits are obtrusive and detract from the cohesiveness of the theme, which is otherwise fairly appealing and effective. With little available for primary-age kids on this intriguing topic, this title is worth considering despite its flaws.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. Pallotta and Masiello, who created such popular alphabet books as The Icky Bug Alphabet Book (1990), 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 of 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. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881069159
• ISBN-13: 978-0881069150
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Anatomy & Physiology
  • #78 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Anatomy & Physiology
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Alphabet

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Fun to Read Than an Encyclopedia, January 12, 2003

By 

DeeDee Currier "drd2c2" (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Skull Alphabet Book (Hardcover)

As an elementary school principal and collector of alphabet books (855 in a collection and 1041 "bibliographed"), this one ranks in my top 10 favorites. Author Jerry Pallotta and Illustrator Ralph Masiello have penned and drawn, respectively, several unusual alphabet books. This contribution eclipsed even The Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book.

Each letter of the alphabet is assigned to a skull. The reader is challenged to figure out to which mammal does the skull belong. That's just the beginning. Questions, information, and challenging art dare the reader-detective to do, what all educators want their students to do, THINK. E.g. The V page begins, "V is for. . . Does this page make you wonder what type of blood you have?" The illustration is a small skull perched on top of a gravestone in the night with a hint of a full moon. Hmmm, even adult alphabet book readers might find this skull challenging to identify.

Some critics might be put off by the addition of hidden presidential pictures in the illustrations! Not I. Children who would be engaged in this alphabet book will strut confidence in finding and identifying U.S. presidents in the illustrations. (Yes, our children can multi-task in their thinking and in their studies!)

As I have purchased alphabet books for older children in my family, I always found it difficult to find ones that engaged and intrigued the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. This one will be given frequently to children I know in this age group.

Thank you, Jerry Pallotta and Ralph Masiello, for giving sophistication to alphabet books that can keep children of all ages engaged in thinking, reading, and learning.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd had this in Kindergarden!, September 18, 2008

By 

J. Brandon "TeachingMom" (Rural, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Skull Alphabet Book (Paperback)

Perfect for children who love nature and animals, and their parents, too!

In addition to the amazing artwork, the writing encourages children to use their own observations to come to logical conclusions. What characteristic places an animal in the phylum Chordata? What is the difference between an antler and a horn? This book encourages actual thinking, not your average A is for apple memorization.

I also appreciate the hidden images - everything about this beautiful book is conducive to use by children of all ages. Which also makes it a perfect book for homeschooling families!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky and unique, September 22, 2007

By 

K. Anderson "Seandalai" (Fishers, Indiana (Indy area)) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Skull Alphabet Book (Paperback)

I use this book in archaeology and bone classes for kids. The ilustrations are beautiful, if unusual. The cover is a good representation. Each skull is pictured in a setting that gives clues to what the animal is. For whatever reason, the authors included a "find-the-presidents" search; there is a little hidden image of a president on each page. Produced in conjuction with Skulls Unlimited. Totally engaging.