Complete Who Would Win Book List (2026)
The definitive guide to Jerry Pallotta's Who Would Win? series — all 35+ books with reading levels, age recommendations, and the best reading order.
Looking for more animal battles after finishing the series? Create your own custom matchup →
Quick Facts
- Author: Jerry Pallotta
- Illustrator: Rob Bolster
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Total Books: 35+ (and growing!)
- Reading Level: Grades 1-4 (Lexile 560-850)
- Age Range: 6-10 years old
- Format: 32 pages per book, full color illustrations
All Who Would Win Books in Publication Order
One-on-One Battle Books
| # | Title | Animals | Year |
| --- | ------- | --------- | ------ |
| 1 | Lion vs. Tiger | African Lion vs Bengal Tiger | 2009 |
| 2 | Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark | Orca vs Great White | 2011 |
| 3 | Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Velociraptor | T-Rex vs Velociraptor | 2010 |
| 4 | Komodo Dragon vs. King Cobra | Komodo Dragon vs King Cobra | 2010 |
| 5 | Tarantula vs. Scorpion | Tarantula vs Scorpion | 2012 |
| 6 | Whale vs. Giant Squid | Sperm Whale vs Giant Squid | 2012 |
| 7 | Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear | Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear | 2010 |
| 8 | Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark | Hammerhead Shark vs Bull Shark | 2011 |
| 9 | Hornet vs. Wasp | Hornet vs Wasp | 2016 |
| 10 | Wolverine vs. Tasmanian Devil | Wolverine vs Tasmanian Devil | 2016 |
| 11 | Alligator vs. Python | American Alligator vs Burmese Python | 2016 |
| 12 | Rhino vs. Hippo | Rhinoceros vs Hippopotamus | 2016 |
| 13 | Lobster vs. Crab | Lobster vs Crab | 2017 |
| 14 | Rattlesnake vs. Secretary Bird | Rattlesnake vs Secretary Bird | 2017 |
| 15 | Triceratops vs. Spinosaurus | Triceratops vs Spinosaurus | 2018 |
| 16 | Jaguar vs. Skunk | Jaguar vs Skunk | 2019 |
| 17 | Green Ants vs. Army Ants | Green Ants vs Army Ants | 2020 |
| 18 | Falcon vs. Hawk | Falcon vs Hawk | 2021 |
| 19 | Hyena vs. Honey Badger | Hyena vs Honey Badger | 2021 |
| 20 | Walrus vs. Elephant Seal | Walrus vs Elephant Seal | 2022 |
| 21 | Coyote vs. Dingo | Coyote vs Dingo | 2023 |
| 22 | Moose vs. Elk | Moose vs Elk | 2023 |
| 23 | Panther vs. Leopard | Panther vs Leopard | 2024 |
| 24 | Alligator Snapping Turtle vs. Mata Mata | Snapping Turtle vs Mata Mata | 2024 |
| Title | Format | Animals | Year |
| ------- | -------- | --------- | ------ |
| Ultimate Bug Rumble | 16-animal tournament | Insects & Arachnids | 2018 |
| Battle Royale | 5-book compilation | Various | 2019 |
| Ultimate Jungle Rumble | 16-animal tournament | Jungle Animals | 2019 |
| Ultimate Showdown | Compilation | Various | 2020 |
| Ultimate Shark Rumble | 16-shark tournament | Shark Species | 2020 |
| Ultimate Ocean Rumble | 16-animal tournament | Sea Creatures | 2021 |
| Extreme Animal Rumble | 80-animal mega event | Various | 2022 |
| Ultimate Small Shark Rumble | 16-shark tournament | Small Sharks | 2023 |
| Ultimate Dinosaur Rumble | 16-dino tournament | Dinosaurs | 2023 |
| Ultimate Reptile Rumble | 16-reptile tournament | Reptiles | 2024 |
| Monstrous Mammals | Multi-mammal battle | Large Mammals | 2025 |
| Grade | Recommended Books | ||
| ------- | ------------------- | ||
| Grade 1 (Ages 6-7) | Start with Lion vs Tiger, Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear — familiar animals, shorter text | ||
| Grade 2 (Ages 7-8) | All one-on-one battles work well | ||
| Grade 3 (Ages 8-9) | Rumble books add complexity with tournaments | ||
| Grade 4+ (Ages 9+) | Extreme Animal Rumble, dinosaur books for dino enthusiasts |
Lexile Levels
Most Who Would Win books fall in the 560-850 Lexile range, making them:
- Perfect for independent reading in grades 2-4
- Great read-aloud books for grades K-2
- Accessible for reluctant readers who love animals
Best Reading Order
For New Readers: Start Here
1. Lion vs. Tiger — The classic that started it all
2. Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear — Familiar animals, clear winner
3. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark — Ocean excitement
4. Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Velociraptor — For dinosaur lovers
For Bug Lovers
1. Tarantula vs. Scorpion
2. Hornet vs. Wasp
3. Green Ants vs. Army Ants
4. Ultimate Bug Rumble
For Ocean Enthusiasts
1. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark
2. Hammerhead vs. Bull Shark
3. Whale vs. Giant Squid
4. Lobster vs. Crab
5. Ultimate Shark Rumble
6. Ultimate Ocean Rumble
For Dinosaur Fans
1. Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Velociraptor
2. Triceratops vs. Spinosaurus
3. Ultimate Dinosaur Rumble
What Makes These Books Great
Educational Value
Each book includes real scientific facts about both animals:
- Size, weight, and physical measurements
- Habitat and geographic range
- Diet and hunting behavior
- Special abilities and adaptations
Engaging Format
- Side-by-side "tale of the tape" comparisons
- Full-color photographs and illustrations
- Action-packed battle scenarios
- Clear winner announcement
Perfect for Reluctant Readers
- Short (32 pages)
- Lots of pictures
- High-interest topic
- Feels like "fun" not "reading"
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Who Would Win books are there?
As of 2026, there are 35+ books in the series, including one-on-one battles and multi-animal rumble books. Jerry Pallotta continues to release new titles each year.
What reading level are Who Would Win books?
Who Would Win books are written for grades 1-4 with Lexile levels between 560-850. They're perfect for independent reading in grades 2-3 or read-alouds for younger children.
What age is Who Would Win appropriate for?
The books are designed for children ages 6-10. The battles are exciting but not graphic — focused on animal facts rather than violence.
What order should I read Who Would Win books?
There's no required reading order — each book is standalone. We recommend starting with Lion vs Tiger or Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear as they feature familiar animals.
Who writes the Who Would Win books?
Jerry Pallotta writes the Who Would Win series. He's also known for his alphabet books. Rob Bolster illustrates the series.
Are there more Who Would Win books coming?
Yes! Jerry Pallotta releases several new Who Would Win books each year. Check his official website or Scholastic for announcements.
Where can I buy Who Would Win books?
Who Would Win books are available at:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Scholastic
- Local bookstores
- Jerry Pallotta's official website (jerrypallotta.com)
Finished All the Books?
Your kids have read every Who Would Win book and still want more matchups?
We built the solution.
Create custom battle books for ANY animal matchup — even ones Jerry Pallotta hasn't written yet:
- Gorilla vs. Grizzly Bear
- Great White Shark vs. Saltwater Crocodile
- Elephant vs. Hippo
- Any combination you can imagine!
Each custom book includes:
- Real facts about both animals
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Illustrated battle scenes
- A winner based on science
Create Your Custom Battle Book →
For Teachers & Parents
Looking for classroom resources? We've created free lesson plans and activities for the Who Would Win series:
Download Free Classroom Resources →
Includes:
- Discussion questions for each book
- Compare/contrast writing templates
- Science standards alignment (NGSS)
- Printable worksheets
Last updated: February 2026
This is a fan resource and is not affiliated with Jerry Pallotta, Rob Bolster, or Scholastic. We love these books and want to help more kids discover them!
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