Kitchen Table Reviews: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Special Edition 2009
The family slips into a dark closet to see the glow-in-the-dark cover of this gross but fun book that's perfect for Halloween.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Special Edition 2009
When I was a kid, Ripley’s Believe It or Not still had a weekly television show. I would tune in every week, alternately riveted and horrified, to see what wonders it would hold. My children proved that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when I pulled out the 2009 Special Edition Ripley’s book—they were fighting over it in no time.
I pointed out that the cover glows in the dark, and all fighting ceased as they ran off to crouch in a closet together and check it out.
Me: So, what did you think of this one?
Son: COOL!
Daughter: This is a pretty awesome book. It’s full of all kinds of weird stuff.
Son: I think we should do something so that we can get into the next one of these books.
Me: Oh really? Like what?
Son: I don’t know. Maybe jump out of a building and land on a feather, or something?
Me: Um, I’m going to say no to that.
Conversation degenerated for a while into what might be a Ripley-worthy activity.
Me: What was your favorite thing in here?
Son: I liked the two-headed sheep. And the two-nosed pig!
Me: What about you? Do you like extra heads?
Daughter: Ha! No, I think my favorite was the lady who drew a whole painting onto her husband. That was cool. What did you like, Mom?
Me: I kind of like the lizard guy on the cover. Did you notice he even had his teeth filed all pointy? That’s dedication.
At the mention of the cover, the kids demanded I join them in the closet to admire the glow-in-the-dark features. It’s pretty nifty, I have to admit.
Me: Who would like this book? Is it good for getting ready for Halloween?
Son: Oh yeah, it’s perfect for Halloween. And I think anyone about 6 or older would like it. If you were younger, your parents could read it to you.
Me: I think some of it might be a little scary for 6-year-olds.
Son: Maybe they could close one eye!
Daughter: I don’t know about age… maybe 8 and up. But I think most boys would like it.
Me: Didn’t you like it?
Daughter: Yeah, I liked it a lot.
Me: You’re a girl.
Daughter: So?
Me: Why do you say boys would like it?
Daughter: They would!
Me: Okay, but how about girls?
Daughter: Them too, I guess. If they like stuff that’s sort of gross.
Me: Is it a good read-under-the-covers-with-a-flashlight book?
Daughter: Yeah, if you like getting maybe a little freaked out.
Personally, I read it with the light on. I’m delicate that way.
Pros: Glow-in-the-dark cover. Totally gross. Weird trivia makes children fascinatingly geektastic.
Cons: Totally gross. Not all of the factoids have accompanying pictures. May foster wild schemes
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Special Edition 2009 gets three thumbs up (just one per person, though; none of this three-thumbed-oddity type of thing) from our kitchen table.
