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Who Would Win? Collection
Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
283 books120 followersMy full name is Gerard Larry Pallotta but my mom always called me "Jerry". I was born on March 26, 1953 in Boston, Massachusetts. My mom's name is Mary, and she came from a family of ten children. My dad's name is Joe, and he came from a family of five children. My grandparents were immigrants of Italian descent. I have the nicest parents in the world. They have always been unselfish and ready to help me, even today. I have four brothers and two sisters: Joey, David, Andrew, Danny, Cindy and Mickey. I have seventy-two first cousins. When I was growing up, there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
My family moved to Medford, Massachusetts when I was young. I went to elementary school at Mt. Trinity Academy, not far from where my publisher is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. I never wrote a book in elementary school, and we never kept journals. In the neighborhood where I grew up, almost every family had seven to nine children. I guess that you could say that there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I went to high school at Boston College High School, a Jesuit all-boys school in downtown Boston. The priests and other teachers were really wonderful. I played football and ran track. I had a great high school experience and I think later it made my studies in college much easier. My sons Neil and Eric graduated from Boston College High School in 2001 and 2003. Neil was named after a teacher I had, Fr. Neil Callahan, S.J. I never wrote a book in high school, and I never wrote for the school newspaper. I was too shy and was afraid of what other kids would think.
After high school I went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I majored in business, a subject that would help me later in life when I decided to publish my first book. At Georgetown, I met my wife, Linda. In college I was an average student and was captain of the Georgetown University Rugby Team. I never wrote for the college newspaper, and I never imaged writing books. A couple of years later, Linda and I got married and I started to work at an insurance company in Boston. During the first six years of being married, we had four kids. It seemed like there were...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
Today, we spend a lot of time with my 31 nieces and nephews...again...KIDS EVERYWHERE!
I learned valuable skills while talking to people, selling insurance and collecting money. When I came home from work, Linda would ask me to "read to the kids!" I loved reading to my kids and I learned to appreciate children's books. The first few books that we bought were alphabet books and counting books. "A" was always for Apple and "Z" was always for Zebra. One day I decided, "Hey, I can do this!" I had an idea. I would write an alphabet book about the Atlantic Ocean. I spent every summer at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Massachusetts. I have great memories of lobstering, fishing, mossing, clamming and rowing in my dory.
My first book was written in 1985 when I was 32 years old. I came up with the idea, wrote it, designed it, researched it, edited it and my cousin, Frank Mazzola, Jr. illustrated it. I published it myself under the name of Peggotty Beach Books. What fun! It was first printed on July 7, 1986. I'll never forget that day. The book eventually became the #1 best selling book at the New England Aquarium. I was afraid that only my mother would like it. Teachers and kids told me they really liked my book.
While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books. Thank you to all my illustrators: Ralph Masiello, Frank Mazzola, Jr., Rob Bolster, Edgar Stewart, Leslie
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 5, 2016
We read two of these books a week in my classroom and the children were so engage in which animal would win in a fight and why!
September 2, 2018
My son loved these when he was younger, and now my youngest daughter does too. I have learned way more about snakes and alligators and rhinos than I've ever imagined. This is a 5 book in 1 type book and my kids love them. I've checked it out from the library so much I might have to just buy it for them.
Want to Read
March 3, 2020The Killer whale and the great white shark are two of the largest predictors living in the ocean. This book makes you guess who you think would win against each other in a battle. In this book you learn that a great white shark is a large fish, a killer whale is a mammal. You get to see in comparison how large each animals teeth are, fins how much they weigh , and how fast each one is in the water.
It goes in to detail to explain how large each brain is compared to each others. Killer whales brain is three times bigger then humans brain and because if this the killer whale beats the shark.
I like how this book makes you think who would really win because both animals have strengths and weakness's both are very dangerous animals. You get to learn about the food chain. Its so cool to learn how fast both animals are and then you have to really think about who would win in a real fight because of the size and strength of both animals it was a hard choice to make.
I really like this book because these animals are cool to learn about both are so strong.
Boys in my age group would enjoy this book to learn about these two different mammals and fish and how they different in many ways.
It goes in to detail to explain how large each brain is compared to each others. Killer whales brain is three times bigger then humans brain and because if this the killer whale beats the shark.
I like how this book makes you think who would really win because both animals have strengths and weakness's both are very dangerous animals. You get to learn about the food chain. Its so cool to learn how fast both animals are and then you have to really think about who would win in a real fight because of the size and strength of both animals it was a hard choice to make.
I really like this book because these animals are cool to learn about both are so strong.
Boys in my age group would enjoy this book to learn about these two different mammals and fish and how they different in many ways.
June 4, 2018
My little brother LOVES these books, he even has a small collection at home! The book that I read asks who would win: polar bears or grizzly bears? The illustrations are cool and colorful, but not overbearing. HA. Get it? OverBEARing? Don't dock me points on this review, Ms.Guzman lol. There are also actual pictures to show what these bears look like in real life. The book is very popular with 2nd grades, so I would recommend this book to kindergarten to about 7th grade. 7th grade might be pushing it, but the book can be used to spark a debate. With the debates, older kids can think critically and defend their arguments. The book is chock full of facts for little ones to be surprised and impressed with.
Read
November 27, 2019These are a great books and a favorite among our students in the library. They do a great job at describing the qualities of each animal and what their strengthens and weaknesses are. It also helps to teach students about predators and prey.
For a writing activity I would have students write who they think would win. I would have them use information from the text to support their answers. I could also turn this into a class debate. I would divide the class in half and have one half research one animal and the other research another. Students would then debate which animal would win using their research to support their reasoning.
For a writing activity I would have students write who they think would win. I would have them use information from the text to support their answers. I could also turn this into a class debate. I would divide the class in half and have one half research one animal and the other research another. Students would then debate which animal would win using their research to support their reasoning.
April 26, 2019
These books are an absolute miracle! As a 4th grade teacher with students among various reading levels I am surprised that EVERYONE loves them. My students are constantly asking for more and even my most reluctant readers want these books. They pin two animals against each other in a pretend fight to see who would win. Prior to the fight, background knowledge is given about each animal so that the reader is forming their own opinion about who would win by the time they get to the fight. I think it makes informational text interesting and intriguing for kids.
August 27, 2018
Review based on the Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear and the Hammerhaead vs. Bull Shark.
Fascinating facts, funny trivia and creative compare and contrast books to encourage younger students to read nonfiction.
Fascinating facts, funny trivia and creative compare and contrast books to encourage younger students to read nonfiction.
January 25, 2021
My 7 year old nephew is obsessed with these books and walks around quoting facts from them 24/7. Every time I go to the library he wants to know which ones I've brought back for him. Please publish a million more!!
October 5, 2017
Another great kids series, nonfiction. Animal vs. animal. Lots of facts and a battle scenario. Be surprised by who wins!
July 2, 2018
Really informative and fun. I like the scenarios at the end and how each animal gets equal coverage. I think a child can really learn from these.
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January 16, 2020So cool
February 9, 2020
I love these. And don't call me a lover!!! I hate that!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2020
Elementary school boys are obsessed with these books!
November 13, 2023
Great book series I'd recommend for the classroom!
July 21, 2024
Read with my 8yo nephew. Very detailed info on each animal however the final battle of who wins is a little gruesome. The book kept my attention much more so than my nephews.
August 27, 2026
E’s 2026 “favorite series” 😍
February 25, 2017
I love who would win books so I love it
April 14, 2017
Who would win? collection by jerry pallotta it is about animals challenging their self to win a match and one loses one wins.I liked it because i like animals.I recommend it to my friends.
July 29, 2016
Not only are these books great reads for animal loving kids, they are great to teach compare and contrast. As a parent, my son and daughter loved them. As a teacher, my 2nd graders devoured them. Well worth filling your classroom library.
If you ever get the chance to have Jerry visit your school, do so! He gave a great presentation to the K-2 students as well as the 3-5. Teachers and students alike, gave great reviews following his presentations!
If you ever get the chance to have Jerry visit your school, do so! He gave a great presentation to the K-2 students as well as the 3-5. Teachers and students alike, gave great reviews following his presentations!
May 4, 2013
My Kinder son loves this book series. Not sure the reading level of these books-- possibly a 4? Wonderfully full of picture and facts about animals in the text that add to the information deciding who would win.
November 18, 2011
All of these are really cool books. Fascinating for kids and adults.
January 31, 2013
I had a student who gave me his favourite book to read, this one. Lots of interesting facts. Liked how children can decide which characteristics applied to the Killer Whale and the Great White.
February 15, 2013
I only have Wolverine vs. Tasmanian Devil, but I am planning on buying the whole series shortly! Informative and very "cool," child-centered. I would have loved these as a kid!
August 6, 2013
I love the books I'm on killer whale vs great white shark
September 24, 2015
Great to read with my boys - interesting to them and me! I learned a lot:)
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January 30, 2014good upper elementary hammerhead vs bull shark
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March 22, 2018like it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews