Ripley's believe it or not: Special edition 2012

Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 9780545329750.
(Age 8+) Recommended. After a fascinating introduction to Ripley, the reader is taken on a fabulous journey of bite size pieces of information with intriguing photos of some of the strangest things in the world. It is a book that can be dipped into; no matter what page you turn to, there is a cluster of amazing facts.
It is divided into different chapters that look at different strange and wonderful things. Wish you were here has facts about Mouse Drop Soup and unusual things happening around the world. Nothing ventured, nothing gained looks at feats like a Chinese hairdresser cutting hair while he stands on his head and a Dutch illusionist levitating in front of a crowd. Wonderfully weird examines flying fish, abnormal creatures and eerie inventions. Get creative has funky inventions and there are weird and wonderful animals in Strange Creatures. The photos are irresistible and the reader just has to read the caption to find out about them.
This volume is fantastic fun for the whole family and will provide hours of amusement for everyone reading from cover to cover or just casually picking it up. It is also a book that is certain to appeal to reluctant readers.
Pat Pledger