Ripley's Believe It or Not!

February 1, 2005
Gr 4-7 -The ultimate trivia browsing book, this volume offers a captivating collection of interesting, gross, and amazing stories and features that will seize the attention of children and keep them turning pages. The book opens with the legacy of Robert Ripley's cartoon series and chain of museums before dividing into chapters such as "Beyond Understanding," "Amazing Earth," "Body & Mind," and "Wonders of Science." Large color photographs illustrate segments on topics such as vampire bats, a public autopsy, bog snorkeling, and the winners of the dirtiest children contest. The book design leads readers' eyes from the captions to the rest of the text, which offers additional enticing facts. A thorough index adds to the appeal because of the number of celebrities mentioned. Sure to be popular. -"Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2004
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the publication of the best seller produced by Robert Ripley, the famous sports cartoonist who built an empire based on the idea that "truth is stranger than fiction," this unique reference teems with bizarre but endlessly fascinating facts about, well, anything. You will learn, for example, that there was once a 90-year-old Parisian woman who reportedly gave birth to a baby boy some time in the 1740s. And, believe it or not, more Americans have died in car accidents than have perished in all the wars since 1776. There are 2400 entries altogether, many of which are accompanied by archival photos and illustrations. Hardly essential but surely an enjoyable book worth acquiring for circulating collections.-Mirela Roncevic

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.