- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Seeing is Believing (#6)
- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Ripley Publishing; Ill edition (August 4, 2009)
- ISBN-13: 978-1893951457
Back-of-the-book blurb: This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley’s Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design.
This year’s book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review (with the help of LM11): I was going to list this as a middle grade children’s book, but, it turns out the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! also appeals to those well past childhood! The book was lying on the table a few weeks ago when we had friends over – the adults were just as enthralled as the children by the oddities presented in the book!
The book captures your attention before the first page is turned – the cover has a lenticular insert of an eye that switches from open to shut as your perspective changes. The jaunty and colorful table of contents gives a hint as to what you’ll find inside: Extreme Earth, Crazy Creatures, Fantastic Food, Beyond Belief and other alliterative and entertaining topics.
A short history tells us about Robert Ripley, who, in 1940, created a column for the New York Globe called “Believe It or Not!” The cartoon series depicted unusual artifacts and stories from over 201 countries that Ripley had visited. “Believe It or Not!” was wildly popular, bringing Ripley fame and fortune. His artifacts are now in 31 Ripley’s museums around the world, and BION is always looking for new material for the books, museums and shows. Yes, it took me several minutes to figure out that the BION referred to in the book is “Believe It or Not!” (believe it, or not!)
On to the meat of the book itself … this is great for leafing through randomly, reading one section at a time methodically, bringing in the car and sharing fun facts aloud … anything goes. The oddities highlighted are often subjects that will lead to further exploration; not necessarily deep exploration, but further interest nonetheless.
For example, my son read about a 2008 wedding at which the bride, groom, and all 70 guests dressed in full Star Wars regalia. He didn’t recognize one of the characters pictured, so he did some research to figure out who it was. Likewise, a snippet about bizarre places that the game Scrabble have been played (sky diving, underwater, on a cliff 200 feet above the ground) led to a civilized game of Scrabble on our own comfy couch.
One of my favorite sections is Artistic License, showcasing art made from bar codes, labels from grocery store produce, body painting, and playing cards. The photos in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are amazing; there’s no way to describe a bust of John Lennon made from chicken wire, you just have to see it.
With the holiday season fast approaching, cries of “I don’t know what to get [insert name of middle school to college age male here]” can’t be far behind. This might be a good one-size-fits-many gift.
The short vlog below is my 11-year-old son sharing two of his favorite parts of the book. I’m very pleased that he chose two interesting visual/arty features to showcase, and not the lip tattoos or picture of a person with polydactyly (and if you want to know what that is, read the first comment below)
FTC disclosure: review copy provided by a marketing/PR firm.
Polydactyly – “having extra digits on the hands or feet.” This definition was accompanied by a photo of an 8-toed human foot. Believe it or not!
I bet kids of all ages would love this book! Sounds like a good one that will appeal to everyone in the family!
I remember when RB or Not used to be in the Sunday comics every week and it was always my favorite part!
I love the vlog – great job!
My sister used to love reading books like this but, to be honest, they give me the creeps. *shudder* Glad to hear your family had fun with it though. And I loved the vlog – way to go kid!
Julie and Heather – oh, yes, I would recommend it for middle school and up (thru adults who like the bizarre). Some of the pics are a bit tough to take – bound feet, facial piercings, cockroaches being eaten … But for the right demographic, it will be a hit!
rhapsody – I’ll pass along the thumbs up on the vlog. And you when he says “weird” a dozen times he really means – odd, unusual, amazing, bizarre, unbelievable, astounding, etc.
Hi Dawn,
Love your son’s review of our book!
Thanks for sharing!
Your friends at Ripley’s
I’ve always avoided this book because I figured I couldn’t handle the gross-out factor! But my boys would probably love it…
My son bought this at the school bookfair for $30! I about had a heart attack since it’s on sale at Costco for $16. I am on PTO and the other members created a tab for him! Nice of them.
My kids LOVE these books, and is one of the top sellers at the book fair as well (despite the obnoxious high price Ti! I won’t let my kids buy it, even with my discount!) We have a museum here in Orlando, right in the middle of tourist hell so we usually avoid it. But back when we were trying to get pregnant, and weren’t having any luck, we did visit the museum when the fertility idol was there. We rubbed the heck out of it.
Your son did an excellent job. He was very poised and didn’t seem nervous or anything!
I used to love these books when I was a kid! I’m very impressed with your son’s vlog – he’s very articulate (and cute too)!
I love the show and I think I’ll enjoy the books too.
Your son did a great vlog. He’s quite confident and articulate!
Great video- and the book sounds like a lot of fun. I used to be a big Ripley’s Believe it or Not junkie and the book looks edgy and fun.
My daughter would love this book. Every year she checks out as many of the older volumes she can find from the school library, and records and watches the show everyday after school. I am definitely going to be grabbing this for her for Christmas, I know it will be the perfect gift. Thanks for the great review!
We loved these books when we were young, In fact, we visited the RBION museum on a family vacation — well it was at Niagara Falls and my parents let my older brother and me go through the museum.
I think my husband and daughter would both get a kick out of this one.