Gorilla vs. Leopard

April 1, 2020

Gr 3-7-Unlike some animal vs. animal series, this set looks at creatures that share habitats and could battle each other. For example, lions and hyenas do not often clash, but they occasionally fight to protect their young or claim food. A profile of each animal is followed by side-by-side comparisons of the competitors' "secret weapons" and "attack moves." Occasional text boxes provide information not related to the fight, such as tool use by gorillas. The final spread reveals the winner of the imagined face-off. Statistics and comparisons help to set the stage and are successfully supported by infographics, insets, and diagrams. Opposing photographs of the animals, set against dark backgrounds, capture their more ferocious aspects. Separate photos are combined to look like a real scene for the final physical conflict. These are visually impressive but could mislead readers. VERDICT Engaging choices for readers who like animal nonfiction with action.

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