Six Degrees: From Bedtime to Bestseller

Jerry Pallotta’s (B’75) path from the Hilltop to becoming one of America’s most prolific children’s authors is rooted in family, faith, and formative connections.

With more than 120 books, 40 million copies sold, and thousands of school visits, Pallotta’s journey reflects a distinctly Georgetown equation: curiosity, community, and purpose.

Pallotta’s career in children’s book writing began after becoming a father of four, with his wife Linda (C’77) encouraging him to read to their children each night. This inspired him to create his own educational books featuring local New England creatures he was so familiar with instead of traditional phonics books.

“My uncle was very encouraging. He used to say to me, ‘Don’t try to make money, just write beautiful books.’ Maybe that was the Jesuit in him,” said Pallotta. “Fill the books full of knowledge that will help kids learn, and then everything else will fall into place.”

A Hoya Legacy Begins

Pallotta’s father, Joe Pallotta (C’51), played Hoya football and competed in the Sun Bowl. And, formatively, his uncle, Arthur “Sonny” Pallotta (C’50, M’53, PhD’56), set him on a Jesuit path.

At Georgetown, Jerry Pallotta met his future wife, Linda Owens Pallotta (C’77). Years later, her simple suggestion — that he read nightly to their children — sparked a career. Two of their four children would later become Hoyas:

• Eric Pallotta (B’07), global senior vice president of brand marketing and social media at Warner Bros’ Streaming Division, Max; and
• Jill Pallotta Robinson (N’09), a nurse anesthetist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Lessons That Paid Off

In the classroom, statistics professor emeritus Othmar Winkler sharpened Pallotta’s analytical thinking. It proved invaluable when navigating publishing contracts and royalties, skills that set him apart in the business of writing.

A Moment of Grace and Connection

Pallotta’s playful college antics in the new Lauinger Library brought him into contact with Joseph E. Jeffs (C’49), University Librarian from 1960 to 1990. That relationship continued, and after publishing his first book, Pallotta sent Jeffs a signed copy, beginning a lifelong exchange of letters.

Today, the Georgetown connection continues through his children, including his daughter, who was mentored by classmate and family friend Eileen Brennan Ferrell (N’75, G’83), retired senior vice president and chief nursing officer for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.  

This story was originally featured in the Georgetown Business Spring/Summer 2026 Magazine.