An excerpt from Kirkus’ review of The Eyeball Alphabet Book,
“Bersani follows up the spectacular illustrations in Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book (2019) with another set of equally bright, bold, and this time literally eye-catching close-ups to go with Pallotta’s alphabetical assortment of ocular animal facts.” Read the entire review over at Kirkus.com Releasing May 11, preorder it here.
Written by Jerry Pallotta, published by Charlesbridge.
I was in heaven when Achoo! Why Pollen Counts earned this honor. Today I was equally thrilled to learn River Otter’s Adventure also made The Tejas Star Reading List.
Lookie 👁👁 what arrived yesterday! My advance copy of Charlesbridge’s The Eyeball Alphabet Book! Charlesbridge doesn’t have preorder up, yet, but Amazon does. You can order it here. This was originally published as a Scholastic Book Club original paperback, being rereleased in hardcover by Charlesbridge. Written by Jerry Pallotta.
February 11, 2021 Update:
Listen to today’s interview with Speak Up Talk Radio’s host, Pat Rullo. Learn about where my ideas for Achoo! Why Pollen Counts came from.
I’m pleased to announce Achoo! Why Pollen Counts has won three awards in the Firebird Book Awards!
First Place Picture Books - All Ages
First Place Picture Books - Ages 4-8
Third Place - Children’s Fiction
https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/?powerpress_pinw=12035-podcast
Here is the press release:
SEVENTY TWO AUTHORS SNAG THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS
January 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2020’s fourth quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. Seventy-two winners were announced in 87 categories.
One of the winning entries was from Massachusetts, author Shennen Bersani, whose book titled Achoo! Why Pollen Counts won in the following categories:
Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. A panel of 12 judges within the writing and publishing space then read every book and independently scored each entry according to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.
Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “The quality of the entries were stunning and speak to the talent out there that needs a marketing voice. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach. In addition to additional prizes, our winners have the opportunity to be interviewed and aired on radio stations, iHeart Radio, Pandora, as well as 50 additional online venues, giving them new ways to speak up and share their work.”
Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and whimsical pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors can get notoriety for their work while doing good for others. It’s been such a rewarding venture for everyone.”
The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. Additional winning authors and titles as well as entry information is available at https://www.speakuptalkradio.com
Go to www.achoowhypollencounts.com to learn more about the book, and find free puzzles, crafts, and coloring pages.
You can purchase the book in English, Spanish, German, or Portuguese at Arbordale Publishing. Or there’s always Amazon. If you visit Amazon, check out the 29 other books I’ve illustrated. There’s definitely something for everyone in your family.
https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/?powerpress_pinw=12035-podcast
I love Legit KidLit! This time I participated in their Winter Draw Off episode. I was joined with fellow Arbordale illustrator, Veronica Jones. Also drawing were Jenn Kocsmiersky and John Green. Check out the episode, and don’t forget to like it and give Legit KidLit’s YouTube channel a follow.
Legit KidLit Draw Offs: Four kidlit creators. Two wheels of topics. Three rounds. Five minutes per round. Lots of creativity and so much fun!
As a bonus, here’s my first sketch you can print out and color or decorate however you like.
You will find this and many more fun downloadables over at www.Achoowhypollencounts.com
Don’t forget how snowflakes form.... from Pollen!
Help Honeybee make it through her hive!
Last week I participated in Legit Kid Lit’s 1st Draw Off. Here’s their description of the event:
Legit Kid Lit Episode 11 is a special drawing episode featuring four authors and illustrators! This was a blast of an episode full of humor and fun sketches. Watch now to see Jeanette Bradley, Brooks Benjamin, Abi Cushman, and Shennen Bersani doodle and have fun. Why don’t you grab a pencil and some paper and join in the fun too?
We plan on doing another Draw Off in November.
I also did a webinar with the Darby Creek Valley Association and created this drawing page to go along with it.
Here’s the NOAA link to How a snowflake is formed: https://www.noaa.gov/stories/how-do-snowflakes-form-science-behind-snow
Don’t for get to check out all of my Achoo! puzzles, crafts, and coloring pages on www.achoowhypollencounts.com
Between hurricanes, wildfires, and Covid, 2020 has definitely taken a toll on our nation’s education. If an elementary school lost their library from a hurricane, tropical storm, or wildfire please have the staff leave a comment. I have two complete sets of my Arbordale books and a limited number of my Jerry Pallotta books to donate. Two schools will receive 20 books. I can donate smaller amounts to additional schools until my supply runs out. Please share and spread the word.
Please leave a comment I will respond to. I no longer read my gmail.
ps. I’ve also illustrated seven other books with smaller publishers. A few of these might be sent as well, while my supplies last.
Fine print: Staff only should contact me, preferably the school’s principal or administration. I want to be certain the books get delivered to the proper people/location.
My Jerry Pallotta books are published by Scholastic and Charlesbridge. Most of my books can be found on Amazon.
Hurray! Today is the official book release for River Otter’s Adventure! About the book: When a young river otter sneaks into a zoo, she wonders if she should be more like some of the other animals she meets. She wants a trunk like the elephant or be loud like the gorilla… By imitating and comparing herself to these other animals she learns to appreciate herself. Educational components are woven throughout this fun, read-aloud story and sidebar information complements and extends the learning, making it a perfect book for a wide variety of ages.
Written by Linda Stanek, illustrated by me.
You can purchase it from Arbordale here in English or Spanish
on Amazon, or ask your Indie publisher!
What reviewers are saying about River Otter’s Adventure:
The repetitive format will soothe younger children and build confidence in older ones. The introduction of exotic animals among more-familiar ones adds variety. Some readers might see the river otter’s journey as a support of identity play and self-acceptance; others can simply indulge in all the ways to act like animals. Cute and playful, like its featured critter.
What a fun book about adventure and accepting to be yourself! I loved River Otter's Journey! It was so much fun! The illustrations are beyond belief beautiful and capture the story perfectly! It taught a good lesson that it's okay to be ourselves! I also really loved that there was facts about river otters at the end!
Steph Dykhouse, Reviewer
Thank you, Steph Dykhouse for your review!!
New award, new stickers! 🥰
Check out the book’s website for free coloring pages and craft projects. www.achoowhypollencounts.com
For free Teaching Activities and quizzes head over to Arbordale.
Congratulations to Achoo! Why Pollen Counts for becoming a 2019 Story Monster Approved Winner! The stickers arrived today. Looking good!
Visit www.achoowhypollencounts.com to find free resources and learn more about the book. You can purchase a copy at Arbordale or on Amazon.
Earlier this month I was contacted by teacher Kate Narita, author of 100 Bugs! A Counting Book. Kate asked if I would help with a project she was working on. A quickly said, yes! I want to share that project, Students Sending Love, with you. Perhaps you can share this info with a teacher. From the website:
Have you dyed Easter eggs? Just made some omelets? Reuse and repurpose your empty egg cartons with this fun and easy craft.
Step 1. Start by printing this page out for your bees and an interior glimpse of an active beehive. Print out as many sheets as you’d like, it’s up to you how many bees you want your hive to have.
This is an example of a finished beehive mobile! Yours can be any colors you want, decorated any way you like!
Step 2. Collect your supplies. Empty egg cartons, scissors, glue, coffee stirrers, needle and thread, fishing line, and washers. Not shown I also used colored pencils and fingernail polish.
You don’t have to decorate your egg cartons, but I used paints to make mine look more like a beehive. Use any kind of paint - even spray paint if you have some - to decorate your beehive. Also feel free to experiment, you can also decoupage photos or put papier-mâché over the outside. This craft project is fun, let your imagination run freely. 😊
Start with your printed sheet.
Step 3. Color in your bees and the interior of your beehive.
I like adding glitter fingernail polish for a shimmering ‘pollen’ effect.
Color your pages in any way that makes you happy!
Step 4. Here I am cutting out hexagon hive holes to show a sneak peek into the hive’s interior. Please be careful. Adult supervision with sharp scissors advised. You can cut as few or as many holes as you’d like. Or skip this step altogether.
Your interior art will show through the holes you cut out as shown.
Step 5. Cut out your bees and hive pieces.
Step 6. Glue your bee medallions back to back so you will have a bee showing in all directions when your finished hive is hung.
Step 7. Paint your egg carton.
More painting.
Step 8. Decorate your beehive any way you like! Here I used a Sharpie to draw in honeycomb shapes. Note the hole punched in the bottom left cell. I will be pushing a coffee stirrer through that.
Step 9. This is optional. I added coffee stirrers to give more space to hang my flying bees.
My two 2019 releases were, A Family Walk, written by Jennifer Butenas; and Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book, written by Jerry Pallotta.
Here’s a little peek inside of each:
The styles and techniques are different, but both pure me! I would find my job boring if I did the exact same style in each book. I’ve been blessed to have done such an amazing variety.
Here is my upcoming 2020 release, River Otter’s Adventure, written by Linda Stanek.
and a small peek inside of it:
Very different from the Uber realistic art I’m now doing for my 31st book, which happens to be my 9th Jerry Pallotta book.... but I’m keeping that under wraps for now.
I love my job!