This will be short and sweet — Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has joined the battle against book banners with free books for Florida families. As their announcement tells us (emphasis added):
Recently, officials in Florida’s Escambia County Public Schools district have plunged into a literary adventure of their own: removing and flagging over 1,600 books for review and potential banning. In a weird plot twist, this includes eight encyclopedias, five dictionaries, and hundreds of reference books – including three of our very own Ripley’s Believe It or Not! titles.
However, the pen is mightier than the sword! Ripley’s will be offering a complimentary book to all Florida residents now through May 15, 2024.
Florida residents can receive a free Ripley’s book by submitting a request below. Books may be received by mail (at no cost) or can be picked up at a Florida Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction. A Florida address is required, with one book available per household, and quantities are limited.
The requirements are easy:
- Florida address required
- One book per household
- Application open now – 5/15/2024
- Quantities are limited
- Form submission required
So, if you or anyone you know lives in Florida, hit this page to complete the necessary online form; you’ll receive one of the nice hardbound Ripley’s books by mail, or you can elect to pick it up in person at any of Ripley’s Florida attractions. As a Ripley’s executive put it:
“The very idea of banning these books is worthy of entry to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Ironically, Escambia County officials are practically authoring our next book for us,” says Ryan DeSear, Vice President of Attraction Operations for Ripley Entertainment. “While Ripley’s response to this issue is a bit tongue-in-cheek, we very much encourage all Florida residents to claim their free copy and decide for themselves.”
Yet another corporate voice raised against book banners...ya gotta love it.