Whale vs. Giant Squid (Who Would Win?)

The Who Would Win? series is pretty crafty. They sneakily educate younger readers on fascinating animals by offering interesting tidbits about them as if they were hyping up prizefighters for a boxing match (or a monster movie on the SyFy channel). What they eat, how strong they are, how fast, the mysteries that still surround both whales and giant squids… all of this and more is covered in a mere thirty or so pages in Whale vs. Giant Squid.

The fight itself only lasts a few pages, but it plays out based on the facts explored in the earlier pages of the book, plus a little creative license — after all, no one has ever observed these two creatures in combat before, so it’s all speculation, really. To be fair, the possible face off between these two undersea leviathans is surprisingly engaging, bolstered by strong, clear artwork and a well-chosen lack of cartooniness about the whole affair.

That respect for the reader and respect for the lives of these creatures elevates this series beyond some goofy What If. We’re never allowed to forget that if they did fight, a loss means death. That’s smart storytelling and education worth investing in.