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Who Would Win?
Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark
Contains facts about hammerhead sharks and bull sharks, comparing such aspects as their sizes, brain structure, and abilities.
32 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
17 people are currently reading
599 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pallotta
238 books111 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 29, 2022
Saw this on a table at the library, and was intrigued. I picked the right book, but the wrong shark.
June 13, 2017
I have almost read all the Who Would Win? series books that our library has on their shelves. I am at awe at the information that is contained in them and the I really enjoy the comparing/contrasting that the author does with the two mammals that are highlighted in each of the books. The illustrations are fantastic, the text pops out you and colors are bright and colorful. I have been sharing my love of these non-fiction books with everyone I run into and hope to take a few of them with me next year when I sub teach in the classroom.
In this selection, we are comparing and contrasting the hammerhead shark with the bull shark. My youngest son was fascinated with sharks when he was growing up so I recalled that although the bull shark had a boring name but he was quite a beast. I preferred the hammerhead shark though. I thought this strange-looking shark looked fierce with its eyes so removed from its body and there was also his horizonal snout to consider. Inside this novel, I learned a great deal about these sharks. Did you know that because of their funny-shaped heads, the hammerhead sharks have more sensors than other sharks, allowing them to sense fish and even smell fish better than other sharks? Did you know that bull sharks prefer shallow water making them more dangerous than great whites and tiger sharks to humans? When these sharks confront one another in a fight, which comprises the last couple pages of the book, these excellent fighters use their strength and their teeth to win the battle.
In this selection, we are comparing and contrasting the hammerhead shark with the bull shark. My youngest son was fascinated with sharks when he was growing up so I recalled that although the bull shark had a boring name but he was quite a beast. I preferred the hammerhead shark though. I thought this strange-looking shark looked fierce with its eyes so removed from its body and there was also his horizonal snout to consider. Inside this novel, I learned a great deal about these sharks. Did you know that because of their funny-shaped heads, the hammerhead sharks have more sensors than other sharks, allowing them to sense fish and even smell fish better than other sharks? Did you know that bull sharks prefer shallow water making them more dangerous than great whites and tiger sharks to humans? When these sharks confront one another in a fight, which comprises the last couple pages of the book, these excellent fighters use their strength and their teeth to win the battle.
January 24, 2019
Again—kids loved it. Comparing and contrasting made simple. Will need to order more !
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November 26, 2020I think my nephew will LOVE this.
March 25, 2014
Jerry Pallotta’s non-fiction book, “Who Would Win? Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark” is a fun informative book for children of all ages. Children will enjoy the facts that compare and contrast hammerhead sharks with bull sharks.
I would pair this with the book, “Clark the Shark” by Bruce Hale. It is another age appropriate book that features a shark named Clark, who goes to school. Clark, the shark, looks similar to bull shark on the cover of the non-fiction book. Clark struggles at school because he is so big, so strong, and so hungry!
The problems that Clark faces every day, relate to some of the interesting facts about bull sharks. Bull sharks are very big and stocky. They are aggressive, vicious and have attacked many people. After bumping their prey first, bull sharks decide if they want to take a bite!
I would discuss with my class the fun facts about bull sharks and hammerhead sharks. One fact would be their enormous size, so I would demonstrate their size with the class. I would pick about three or four students, whose height totals about 12 feet. They would lay on the floor, head to toe. This would give the students a representation of the size of a bull shark. Then I would pick 6 to 7 students, whose height totals about 20 feet. They would also lay on the floor, head to toe. Students would realize just how enormous the hammerhead sharks can be.
The students, especially the boys, will love discussing the scary facts about sharks. The fiction book, “Clark the Shark”, will lighten the mood with a whimsical story of a shark going to school.
I would pair this with the book, “Clark the Shark” by Bruce Hale. It is another age appropriate book that features a shark named Clark, who goes to school. Clark, the shark, looks similar to bull shark on the cover of the non-fiction book. Clark struggles at school because he is so big, so strong, and so hungry!
The problems that Clark faces every day, relate to some of the interesting facts about bull sharks. Bull sharks are very big and stocky. They are aggressive, vicious and have attacked many people. After bumping their prey first, bull sharks decide if they want to take a bite!
I would discuss with my class the fun facts about bull sharks and hammerhead sharks. One fact would be their enormous size, so I would demonstrate their size with the class. I would pick about three or four students, whose height totals about 12 feet. They would lay on the floor, head to toe. This would give the students a representation of the size of a bull shark. Then I would pick 6 to 7 students, whose height totals about 20 feet. They would also lay on the floor, head to toe. Students would realize just how enormous the hammerhead sharks can be.
The students, especially the boys, will love discussing the scary facts about sharks. The fiction book, “Clark the Shark”, will lighten the mood with a whimsical story of a shark going to school.
August 19, 2024
I first read this with my mom when I was younger now I read it by myself!
February 6, 2017
Part of the Who Would Win? series, Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark compares and contrasts two types of shark species. Young readers learn about the sharks' anatomies, behaviors, fun and interesting facts, and humorously, things that neither species can do. All leading up to the final confrontation between the two sharks - where one will swim away and the other will not - which is a bit jarring after having spent several pages getting to know the animal. The last page of the book provides an opportunity for critical thinking skills as readers are given a checklist to determine which shark had the advantage in terms of length, weight, teeth, vision, and head shape, as well as an author note asking the reader to write their own ending to the fight. Packed with photos, charts, and interesting facts, this is a good choice for shark enthusiasts and young readers.
October 21, 2019
A very popular series that I hadn't heard of before. Filled with pictures and cool facts - this one about sharks in general and these 2 species in particular (did you know that a bull shark was found 1,000 miles up the Mississippi River?), it even has a silly page about what they *can't* do (a hammerhead can't parachute or ride a bike), it ends with actually walking through what a battle between the two would look like and declaring a winner. I imagine that the other books in this series follow a similar format, making it appealingly predictable. I can see why this whole series is appealing to boy readers in particular and will add it to my repertoire.
June 15, 2024
Enthralling. A masterful series which distracted my childhood self from my own mental, social, and emotional battles by replacing them (even for a small, fleeting moment) with the theoretical and fictional battle between two animals that I will likely never encounter.
If I could rate this book 6 stars, I wouldn’t.
I’d rate it 100-400 billion stars (the approximate amount of stars in the Milky Way galaxy) and I bet y’all couldn’t even count to that many stars.
That’s how much I love this series. My favorite one was the one with the quant squid and the whale!
If I could rate this book 6 stars, I wouldn’t.
I’d rate it 100-400 billion stars (the approximate amount of stars in the Milky Way galaxy) and I bet y’all couldn’t even count to that many stars.
That’s how much I love this series. My favorite one was the one with the quant squid and the whale!
October 24, 2025
I've read several books in this series now. They are all set up so that readers look at a series of facts about each animal, and then, at the very end there is a "fight" and a winner. Sometimes these fights have really happened in the wild, but other times it is imagined.
I assume that this fight, between hammerhead vs bull shark has happened in real life and that this fight thus is based on a real one. But it would be nice if the book confirmed that this is based on an actual witnessed fight.
I assume that this fight, between hammerhead vs bull shark has happened in real life and that this fight thus is based on a real one. But it would be nice if the book confirmed that this is based on an actual witnessed fight.
April 30, 2022
This book is about hammerhead and bull sharks. This book goes through the two different sharks and compares them. It discusses the similarities and differences.
I rate this book 5 stars. This is a great book to keep the children engaged when reading non fiction. This series is a great to have in an elementary classroom.
I rate this book 5 stars. This is a great book to keep the children engaged when reading non fiction. This series is a great to have in an elementary classroom.
February 2, 2023
What would happen if a Hammerhead Shark and a Bull Shark fought? Who would win? With the facts and illustrations, even a humorous spread of what each shark can't do, it's easy to learn and have fun reading. I lost this fight to my son.
December 5, 2018
5/5 stars
nonfiction/informational.
I think this is a great approach to make informational texts exciting. Encourages curiosity.
Appropriate for grades 1-4
nonfiction/informational.
I think this is a great approach to make informational texts exciting. Encourages curiosity.
Appropriate for grades 1-4
September 16, 2019
great!!!
January 5, 2020
it was very sad
January 23, 2020
it was mind blowing!
Read
January 28, 2020it what a good book i love it
Read
February 19, 2020My son (6) loves this entire series! It's so interesting and very educational. Tons of fun facts too!
April 22, 2021
This one is just a funny book but has lots of facts within so it is informational as well. I enjoyed it and it would be a fun read for students.
Want to read
May 27, 2021i think its good
Read
September 23, 2021this book was very interesting and very good to read i enjoyed reading this book and the facts i got from this book i really wished the hammer head shark would win
Read
October 19, 2021This book is about what would happen if a Hammerhead and a Bull Shark fought. It is important for the classroom because it teaches young students about these animals.
November 19, 2021
Its OK book
March 14, 2024
GO HAMMERHEAD (he lost :()
September 2, 2024
Very good book
December 17, 2024
It would be fair for the bull shark to win because bull Sharks are more aggressive than hammerhead Sharks.
May 19, 2023
Bull Shark Wins!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2017
Christopher was so excited to see this new addition to the Who Would Win series. This time though he read it himself, and he didn't have patience for all of the facts about the sharks. He only wanted to read the fight. As usual, we predicted who we thought would win. He chose the bull shark, and I chose the hammerhead. It was an excited fight, but I won't tell you who won. If you're kids are into animals at all, I think they'll love this series. It's perfect for ages 5-10.
http://www.momsradius.com/2017/08/juv...
http://www.momsradius.com/2017/08/juv...
September 25, 2016
Interesting facts about two different types of sharks--the hammerhead and the bull shark--fill this book's pages, guaranteeing that it will be popular with young readers who don't typically gravitate to reading material. Characteristics of each of these marine-living creatures are provided as well as discussion and illustrations of their teeth, tails, and anatomy. I wasn't particularly interested in "Things a Hammerhead Shark Can't Do" or "Things a Bull Shark Can't Do," because the examples are ridiculous, but many young readers will snicker over them and be captured by the possibilities of one of these sharks singing. When the battle between the two animals starts, it will be interesting to see which one wins. Undoubtedly, this book will spur many lively discussions about the possible supremacy of one type of shark over the other.
August 27, 2016
This is a very educational and meaningful book. I learnt a lot about the difference between Hammerhead shark and Bull shark. For example, the difference between their tail, the shapes of their teeth, the types of hammerheads, where bull sharks appear etc. I also learned a lot of interesting facts e.g. sharks are seawater fish……
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in marine life and sharks.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in marine life and sharks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews