This book is a staple of the Scholastic Book Fair for a reason. It’s basically a nature documentary crossed with a wrestling match. Jerry Pallotta knows exactly how to hook kids: give them stats, cool illustrations, and a definitive answer to a question they’ve probably argued about at recess.

It’s sneaky education at its best. It won't win a Pulitzer, but it might actually get your kid to put down the iPad for twenty minutes and talk about Tasmanian marsupials. That's a massive win for any parent.