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"I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless."
Psalm 101:3

Weird But True: 300 Outrageous Facts

VERDICT: Prayerfully Consider

Concern Level: Medium

Book Cover for Weird But True: 300 Outrageous Facts

Christian Parent Reviews Cross

Christian Parent Review

Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

The most concerning thing to know about here are a couple of types of items that appear in what is presented as a list of ‘facts’. — There are a few surprising references to darker elements. It mentions Phasmophobia as the fear of ghosts. It tells readers that Abracadabra used to be written in a triangle shape to keep away evil spirits (not that it does NOT say that “people believed” that this is was used for, it says that this “is” what it was used for). In a similar way it tells children that it is illegal to sell a haunted house in New York without telling the buyer (again, a strange message that makes it sound like houses are in fact haunted). There is another item that mentions halloween and gives a year when it occurred on a full-moon. — The next set of “facts” to know revolves around the modern-day teaching about evolution and the age of the earth. We are told that “most experts” believe birds are descended from dinosaurs. A date of 55 million years ago is referenced. We are told matter-of-factly that the human ear evolved from ancient fish gills, that the oldest human footprints ever found was 350,000 years old and that Crocodiles have been around for about 200 million years. — The only other items to know about are a reference to Harry Potter and another where we are told that some fish change from female to male (something that in today’s culture may bring more unintended implications with it than is intended).

Our Thoughts

We wanted to review this book as a potential out-of-the-box option for parents looking for something interesting that may excite and encourage their young and/or reluctant readers. While it is mostly clean, it is not perfect. While not surprising in our current culture, we as Christian parents need to be cautious allowing our kids to be bombarded by what the secular world presents as “facts”, those that are counter to the Scriptures or those that present as normal something the Bible tells us as dark or immoral. Please only consider allowing your child to consume this title and the books that follow in the series if you are willing to step through items like those shown above and use them as teaching moments. Otherwise, it is probably best just to skip and to find a different option.

Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.Use with caution

At last, all those weird but true facts that readers of National Geographic Kids love so much are collected into a fun-filled book that you’ll come back to again and again! --- Weird But True is based on the hugely popular magazine page of quirky, fun facts that many readers of National Geographic Kids magazine turn to first. Why? Well did you know that... Peanut butter can be converted into a diamond? The world’s oldest pet goldfish lived to be 43 years old? The world’s longest soap bubble was as long as four school buses? On Neptune, the wind blows up to 1,243 miles an hour? An elephant’s tooth can weigh as much as a bowling ball? --- All of the facts in this handy book will amaze friends and family: Animals Superpowers...Chills and Thrills...Eat or Be Eaten...Mini and Mega...Wild and Crazy, and much, much more. Adjacent pages for such facts present a one-paragraph explanation of how that fact is possible or why it is so. --- Wacky facts, fascinating information, and lively art combine in this easy-to-browse, casual reference book that is sure to give young readers hours of fun.

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Scripture Reflection

Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?'

— 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

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