• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3
• Reading age: 5 to 8

Two ancient empires battle for the upper paw in this fascinating true tale from hiss-tory.

In the 6th century BCE, Egypt and Persia had been squabbling for years over control of the Fertile Crescent. A trick involving an impostor princess was the straw that broke the camel's back: Persia's king decided to invade Egypt. Only, how could Persia beat the mighty Egyptian army? The answer was right in their laps. Would this turn out to be the purr-fect idea they thought it was? Or would it end in cat-astrophe?

J. F. Fox tells the strange and intriguing story of how the Persians used cats to help them win the Battle of Pelusium. Her playful text together with Anna Kwan's dynamic illustrations offer plenty of humor to complement the historical details. Filled with silly cat puns throughout, this third title from the Head-to-Head History series provides an easy-to-read and entertaining way for young people to learn about ancient civilizations. The text and art have been reviewed by an expert for historical accuracy. Notes at the back of the book promote inquiry-based learning by explaining how historians determine what actually happened and ways to separate fact from fiction. A glossary and bibliography are also included.

J. F. Fox is the author of the Head-to-Head History series, featuring quirky showdowns from the past. The first title, Napoleon vs. the Bunnies, was recently referenced in a question on Celebrity Jeopardy! A former editor at Lee & Low Books, she has ghostwritten over seventy books for children and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two sons.

J.F. Fox's profile page

ANNA KWAN is an illustrator from Toronto, Ontario. She studied illustration at OCAD University where she drew comics and funny pictures, but didn't imagine it would lead her to illustrate children's books. She enjoys eating snacks, and is always happy to pet-sit when asked.

Anna Kwan's profile page

With clever humor, featuring an abundance of cat puns, this telling of the ancient Battle of Pelusium could be a fit for budding history enthusiasts.

School Library Journal

The study of ancient Egypt is a mainstay of early education, and this fun title is a worthy addition ... facts playfully intermixed with cat-related humor ...

The Booklist

... easy-to-understand and entertaining ... colorful illustrations make history come alive for young readers.

Children's Literature

This playful picture book [and] the “Head to Head History” series ... establishes research ideas in accessible ways for young readers. [The Pharaoh vs. the Felines] puts forth ample discussion of conflict, time scales, evaluating evidence, and the use of narratives in history.

Youth Services Book Review