I have reviewed others in the Who Would Win? Series. This time around I found four titles that had a few animals you do not normally see in a children’s book as well as surprise upsets in the battle of the best.
Each book gives facts, oddities and quirky information about each bug, mammal, or fish. A solid argument is given to why the author thinks the one that wins would win. All the facts are in front of you; and therefore, you can make your own situation for the reverse to be true (if you so think) or write/think of your own story about who did win. Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster combine their talents to make a non-fiction book read as a novel (as each fight is of course, fiction) but also presented as if the narrator is announcing an Ali and Frazier match.
In Ultimate Bug Rumble 16 bugs and insects are paired in a first round, followed by others, until the final two take the ring. Some upsets you might never see coming (but that is how it works in the wild, things happen that will surprise you) and other battles are obvious of the outcome.
Jaguar vs. Skunk had the two critters putting up quite the stink until one comes out smelling like a rose. This was probably my favorite as I have a soft spot for the winner and learned about both creatures. This also was a fun book as most readers will have seen the skunk in their backyards. This familiarity might make kids want to learn more about the everyday animals vs. the more exotic ones.
Who didn’t like Killer Whales or Great White Sharks as a kid? Okay, a few might not have, but even I was into sharks for a while. In Killer Whale vs Great White Shark everything from size to brain structure to types of teeth come into play. This is a book I would have loved reading back in first and second grade.
Finally, Rhino vs. Hippo came to the top of my reading pile. I had ideas at least who might win in the others, but I figured that these two animals were equally matched. And therefore, I of course learned more about them to see which one would come out victorious (I usually make a guess who I think will win based on what I do know and usually am right).
Fun and educational, these books are probably best for ages 6-7 and up, but really all ages can enjoy.