Scholastic.com: Teachers: Online Activities: ClassroomsCare Author of the Month

Each month, an author shares his or her thoughts about reading and the ClassroomsCare mission—to share the joy of books with America’s neediest children. These author messages for your students are a great way to inspire them to read and get involved.

		Jerry Pallotta began writing books in 1986 when he was 32 years old. He got the idea for his first book, The Ocean Alphabet Book, while reading to his own children and remembering all the fun he had growing up on Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. This first self-published title established Jerry's creative process; Jerry wrote and edited the text, hired his own illustrator, designed the book, bought paper, and rented press time. The success of The Ocean Alphabet Book inspired a series of nonfiction alphabet books which includes The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, The Jet Alphabet Book, The Flower Alphabet Book, and The Skull Alphabet Book. He also wrote a math series and several stories that includes Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight? Jerry has been to more than 3,000 schools and conferences around the country. He tells kids everywhere to, "Read a zillion books!" You can learn more about Jerry Pallotta at www.jerrypallotta.com

Jerry Pallotta’s ClassroomsCare Reading Playlist *Imogene's Antlers* by David Small *The Library* by Sarah Stewart *Color* by Ruth Heller *Doctor De Soto* by William Steig *Alaska's Three Bears* by Shelley Gill *Quick as a Cricket* by Audrey Wood *Grandfather Twilight* by Barbara Berber *Starry Messenger* by Peter Sís *No Jumping on the Bed!* by Tedd Arnold *The Other Side* by Jacqueline Woodson