Image of author's holding shark jaw
Courtesy of Jerry Pallotta (Jerry Pallotta); Shutterstock.com (Elephant); Martin Camm/Carwardine/NaturePL.com (Whale)

Jerry Pallotta Loves Animal Videos

That’s just one fact about the author of the “Who Would Win?” books.

By Laine Falk
From the May/June 2025 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will read an interview with Jerry Pallotta, author of the Who Would Win? book series.

Lexiles: 520L
Featured Skill: Main Idea,
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.1 Features of print RI.1.1 Key details RI.1.3 Connecting information RI.1.4 Vocabulary RI.1.5 Text features RI.1.6 Distinguish between information from words and images RI.1.7 Use visuals SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative discussions with peers and adults SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud
TEKS Standards
  • Science
    (13) Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and undergo processes that help them interact and survive within their environments. The student is expected to: (A) identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival.

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Question: Do you have a favorite  “Who Would Win?” book?

Jerry Pallotta: I feel that killer whale versus great white shark is the best matchup. Kids always think the shark will win. But the killer whale always wins in three seconds because it is so smart. 

Q: What is the coolest fact you’ve learned when writing your books?

JP: A blue whale’s tongue weighs as much as an elephant!

alligator (left) 

python (right)

Q: How do you research the books?

JP: It can take six months to a year to research a book! I go to museums. I read a ton. I watch animal videos on YouTube. I also talk to experts. 

One time, I talked to a park ranger in the Everglades. He told me that when a python fights an alligator, they fight for 24 hours. The biggest one always wins. 

T. rex (left)

velociraptor (right)

Q: Did you ever make a mistake when writing?

JP: Yes. I had already started my T. rex and velociraptor book. Later I went to the museum to see their fossils. The T. rex is huge! The velociraptor is pretty small. I didn’t know if it would really be a good matchup. 

So I had to think about if the velociraptor could win. I solved it by having a pack of velociraptors fight the T. rex.

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More About the Article

English Language Arts Focus

Genre

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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Implementation

  • Whole group

Pairings and Text Connections

Before-Reading Resources

  • Vocabulary slideshow (5 minutes) matchup, research, Everglades, fossils
  • Video: Who Would Win? With Jerry Pallotta (5 minutes) Get to know author Jerry Pallotta

Suggested Reading Focus

Comprehension/genre (20 minutes)

  • Read this article after you’ve read the issue’s Alike and Different article (“Who Would Win? Centipede vs. Hornet”).
  • Have children take a moment to look at the article. Ask if they know what kind of article it is. (an interview) Say that during an interview, one person asks another person questions to get to know them. In this interview, the questions that the author asked Jerry are marked with Question or Q, and Jerry’s answers are marked with Jerry Pallotta or JP.
  • Before reading, ask children to predict what Jerry might be like, based on what they already know about him.
  • Then read through each question-and-answer pairing, stopping after each one to check for comprehension.
  • When you’re done, ask children what they would like to ask Jerry if they could interview him.

After-Reading Skills Practice

Skills: Writing and answering questions; writing/drawing; compare/contrast (15 minutes)

Text-to-Speech