Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Odd Places
Ripley'S Believe It Or Not! Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Collects amazing but true stories about such oddities as the tomb of Santa Claus, the upside-down hotel, America's Stonehenge, a truck made of paper, and the crookedest street in the world. Inside you will find amazing-but-true stories about the upside down hotel, the Star Trek community in North Carolina, the leaning tower of Japan, America's Stonehenge, the bullet-proof saloon, a truck bridge made of paper, the tomb of Santa Claus, the rainbow lake, the singing sands of the desert, the noisiest apartment house in the world, the crookedest streets in the world, towns without streets, palaces built inside mountains, churches made of glass, driftwood, and human bones, and much more!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which place from the book did you find most fascinating and why?
How do you think people in those odd places live differently from us?
If you could visit one of the places mentioned in the book, which would it be and what would you do there?
Can you think of any place near us that might be considered odd? What makes it different?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and consider the lifestyles and cultures in odd places around the world. Use the book's intriguing content as a springboard to discuss diversity and uniqueness. Help them draw parallels with their own surroundings, sparking curiosity and a deeper understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Open-Mindedness
Explanation: The book explores a variety of odd and unusual places around the world, encouraging children to think outside the box and embrace the diversity of the world.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing interest in different cultures and environments, which can foster a sense of global awareness and acceptance.
Example Lesson: Geographical Knowledge
Explanation: Each location is presented with interesting facts and figures, helping children learn about geography in an engaging way.
Real-World Application: This knowledge can help children in their academic subjects like Geography, and also inspire them to learn more about different parts of the world.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Uniqueness
Explanation: By showcasing places that are 'odd' or different, the book teaches children to appreciate uniqueness in various forms.
Real-World Application: This can promote inclusivity and respect among peers, encouraging children to embrace individual differences.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The detailed descriptions and historical contexts challenge children to think critically about what makes these places odd and why they are significant.
Real-World Application: Children can use these critical thinking skills in problem-solving tasks at school and in daily life.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative presentation of each location can stimulate children's creative thinking as they visualize and think about these peculiar places.
Real-World Application: This can enhance their creative writing or art projects, as they draw inspiration from the vivid descriptions and unusual facts.