In a fun twist in the animal battles field, this set pits a modern-day creature against a prehistoric beast that shares some similar traits. Short two-page chapters compare key features of each animal. Siberian ­Tiger vs. Saber-Tooth Cat, for instance, looks at size, teeth, claws, and hunting methods. The use of past tense for the prehistoric creatures helps readers navigate the alternating presentations. Photos and illustrations highlight the text effectively: a close-up photo shows the rhinoceros's thick skin, for example, while a captioned drawing notes the triceratops' frill and scales (Rhinoceros vs. Triceratops). Final spreads set up the battle, though no winner is revealed.

Readers are asked to speculate, aided by a table ­providing direct comparisons between the two animals. The last spread includes large images of the battlers on facing pages, but nothing shows them actually interacting. VERDICT The prehistoric element should appeal to animal battle fans.