The Eleventh Hour by graeme base

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I usually don't take the time to review picture books. However, this particular one is truly the most self-indulgent thing I've ever come across.

Every single page is filled to the brim with what seem to be challenging codes and clues. But here's the thing, a whopping 98% of them are either completely useless or are actively designed to mislead. Some of these are nothing more than inside jokes that the author decided to throw in for good measure. In fact, a lot of them actually say "red herring" quite literally. This doesn't exactly inspire me to go on a wild goose chase looking for more clues.

Believe me, finding these clues is hands down the least efficient way to solve this mystery. I did manage to figure out who the culprit was in the end, but I didn't once rely on the clues provided. In fact, I deeply regretted even bothering with them in the first place. It gives the impression that I'm supposed to be in awe of the sheer quantity of clues, rather than actually considering their practical (or lack thereof) usefulness.

On top of all that, I was extremely bored throughout the entire reading experience. It's quite a feat to make a picture book with so few pages so incredibly dull, but this one has managed to achieve just that. There is no real story to speak of. It's simply about this elephant's party, which is as needlessly elaborate as the book itself. And the stakes for the mystery are ridiculously low. You're not even truly helping the innocent animals solve the little mystery because the clues have nothing to do with the actual plot.

Finding the culprit doesn't have any impact on the story whatsoever. Your only so-called "reward" is page after page of a pictureless explanation of every single one of the dozens of pointless clues that are hidden within the book. It's so incredibly pedantic that I seriously wanted to stop reading. It would spend an entire paragraph proudly detailing how, if you look closely enough, the wall says "tick tock." :O But seriously, how does that actually help me??? It doesn't!!! I'm just expected to marvel at the fact that it's there.

There are plenty of other interactive mystery books out there for kids. Do yourself a favor and read one of those instead.

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Ihatesourkraut

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I truly LOVE THIS BOOK.

Last year, I designed a program for tweens based on it, and although the attendance was a bit sparse, it was still an amazing experience. After all, it's a tween program, and any attendance is great!

Whenever anyone shows the slightest interest in puzzles, whether it's coworkers, kids, parents, or even strangers, I excitedly leap up and recommend this book to them.

I have a particular fondness for introducing kids to anagrams and pigpen ciphers. I vividly remember my own experience as a weird 5th grader, spending hours poring over this book in my elementary school library. It was so much fun!

This book holds a special place in my heart, and I'm always eager to share its wonders with others.

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indigo_dreamer

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A whole host of animals are invited to an elephant's birthday party.

When the beautiful birthday cake is discovered eaten at 11 o'clock when the guests were supposed to dine, it is up to readers to find all the hidden codes, ciphers, clocks, and clues in the pictures throughout to see who could have devoured the cake.

The answers to all the numerous puzzles and the mystery are sealed in the back of the book.

This is a combination mystery and picture book in rhyme. It is extremely rare to find such a skilled and creative illustrator/poet that makes children's books.

I remember working on solving all the different puzzles hidden in this book with my siblings when we were young. It took us quite a while (like several days...there are some crazy complex codes in this book), but we felt very accomplished when we figured them out.

Because of the level of difficulty of the codes and puzzles, I shelve this for middle grade readers.

This book not only provides entertainment but also challenges the minds of its readers. It encourages them to think critically and use their problem-solving skills.

The illustrations are vivid and engaging, adding to the overall charm of the book.

Children will love poring over the pictures, looking for clues and trying to solve the mystery.

It is a great book for both individual reading and group activities, such as family game nights or classroom discussions.

Overall, this is a unique and captivating book that is sure to delight children and adults alike.

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Aaron_Yess

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base is an outstanding mystery picture book for kids.

When Horace, the elephant, turns eleven, he plans a magnificent event. Friends are invited, party games are selected, and a beautiful birthday feast is prepared.

The day of the party arrives, and all his friends show up in their finest costumes. Throughout the day, they play various games, eagerly waiting for the eleventh hour when they can finally enjoy the feast.

To their horror, when the eleventh hour comes, the feast is gone. One of the guests is a thief! Can they figure out who did it?

As adults, we often think of mystery books as chapter books. There are numerous details involved in writing these books, which sometimes results in a longer length. However, this is not always the case.

The Eleventh Hour is a picture book that younger readers can easily understand and enjoy. The detailed pictures, along with the text, tell the story exceptionally well. They are colorful, full-spread illustrations that assist in solving the mystery presented in the story.

Without these hints, the mystery would be extremely difficult to solve. With rhyming and musical words, the storyline captivates children's attention. The use of animals makes it even more enjoyable and engaging.

Kids can envision this event actually happening in their imagination. It's something they could come up with. These elements contribute to making this book of very high quality.

To be classified under the mystery genre, stories must possess certain characteristics. The Eleventh Hour has these mystery elements.

One of them is the sense of suspense and surprise. There is definitely a surprise when the characters discover the feast is gone. They had been waiting all day for this banquet, and it disappears in an instant.

Then comes the suspense of determining who the thief is. With each new excuse from the characters, the suspense intensifies. It seems that none of them could have done it, but that's impossible.

Another element of mystery is foreshadowing. Throughout The Eleventh Hour, there is simple foreshadowing. First, with each new game. As the day progresses, there is one new game after another.

This makes the reader feel as if it is building up to something significant due to the length of time that has passed. The theft is also foreshadowed by the way the characters are depicted.

At every game, there is someone who is accused of cheating. This leaves doubt in the readers' minds about the integrity of the characters. This leads up to the climax of the mystery.

One other element that this story has is the "puzzle" element and idea gaps. After the story ends, there is still no conclusion as to who stole the feast.

This allows readers to fill in their own ideas and solve the puzzle. By going back through the book, they can deduce who the real thief was.

As a children's mystery, The Eleventh Hour is an excellent choice. It has many elements that create a wonderful puzzle for children to solve. With high-quality pictures and a great story, this book can be considered a top-notch children's book.

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StarSpew

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A childhood favourite of mine was a teddy bear named Benny.

I received Benny on my fifth birthday, and he quickly became my constant companion.

He was soft and cuddly, with a brown fur that felt like a warm blanket.

His black button eyes always seemed to be looking at me with a friendly gaze.

I would take Benny everywhere with me, whether it was to school, on family outings, or just around the house.

We would have countless adventures together, imagining ourselves in far-off lands and having exciting quests.

Even when I was feeling sad or scared, Benny would be there to comfort me.

He was more than just a toy; he was a true friend.

To this day, I still have Benny tucked away in a special place in my room.

Whenever I look at him, I am reminded of the happy times of my childhood and the unconditional love that he gave me.

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Eahtas

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

One of the most astonishing illustrations I have ever come across in children's books is truly remarkable. It's难以置信 that I had never heard of Base until now. The pictures are incredibly detailed, with hundreds of elements and activities happening within them. You could easily spend hours just looking at them, getting lost in the intricate details. In this particular case, there is a mystery that needs to be solved, and there are some really enjoyable clues to search for in the pictures. It's not overly simplistic for a small child, but it's just challenging enough for my 1st grader, and it even managed to hold my interest as well! The clues are cleverly hidden within the pictures and many of them are related to letters and words. It's a lot of fun and a book that we will surely return to again and again.

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particle_eater

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

For a curious youngster, this would be an absolutely perfect choice. There are cool animals to discover, bright colors that catch the eye, and an air of mystery that lingers.

Parents should definitely be prepared to assist their child with all the clues. Some of these clues are quite obvious and visual, while others are more complex and coded.

There is great value in reading a less simplistic book to a child. A book filled with rhymes, clues, and creativity can introduce complicated concepts and nuance, and help develop a better relationship. Children learn to love learning and how to study. The upside is high, and the downside is low. It just requires a little time and effort on the part of adults.

Most notably, the author's pictures are truly stellar. I have as positive an attitude towards Base's artwork as I do with James C. Christensen's. His illustrations are brightly colored and complex. You can find symbols and introduce children to many cultures, types of architecture, and games all through this simple picture book.

I'm amazed at how much can be packed into a short book. I would recommend this to be read to kids from comprehension level on for just the story, 3 - 4 years old for the mystery with help, and 5 - 6 years old for trying the mystery solo. One small drawback is the extra sneaky elements that have been incorporated in large numbers on each page. I find those hard to find - even with the top secret end of book help. It's the epitome of a Where's Waldo stumper!

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PrincesaLuminosa

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is an extremely clever book that has the power to entertain readers for hours on end.

The illustrations within it are truly magical, filled with hidden clues and wonderful drawings.

Despite its small size, there is an abundance of content in this book that can captivate and absorb, especially a child, for very long periods of time.

It's a book that invites exploration and discovery, as the reader delves into its pages to uncover the hidden treasures within the illustrations.

The combination of the engaging text and the enchanting illustrations makes it a truly unique and enjoyable reading experience.

Whether read alone or shared with others, this book is sure to provide hours of entertainment and delight.

It's a must-have for anyone who loves books that are both clever and entertaining.

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The Eleventh Hour

graeme base

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