I have extremely fond memories of this book from my childhood.

To begin with, similar to most of his work, Graeme Base's illustrations are truly magnificent. They are aesthetically appealing, with a diverse range of styles and an abundance of intense detail. The latter aspect is of particular significance in this instance!

The story is a simple rhyming narrative about an elephant who throws a birthday party, featuring various humorous little accounts of what he and his guests do until the big 11 o'clock feast. However, they discover that the feast has been eaten by some mischievous party!

The animals themselves never manage to solve the mystery - but the reader is given the opportunity. There is a cipher at the end of the book that can only be translated if you use the correct name of the culprit as a key, allowing you to confirm your theory and providing a brief explanation of what occurred.

In addition to this, for those who really don't want to miss anything, later editions of the book include a physically sealed dossier that offers a full page-by-page explanation of the mystery and all the clues.

After the first reading, the real fun commences, with poring over the book again to search for clues. I truly can't remember how difficult it was, but I know that as a child of around 6 years old, I was a bit at a loss to solve it on my own. Nevertheless, I can say that the mystery is solvable and fair. I'm not sure how much it would necessarily challenge an adult, but I would still assert that this is a beautiful work that is worthy of admiration from readers of any age.

This picture book was truly fabulous!

As you read the story, you are challenged to solve the mystery. The illustrations are not only incredible but also filled with clues everywhere. It makes the reading experience not only enjoyable but also engaging and interactive.

What's more, there is a code to decipher at the end. Solving this code as a family was an absolute blast! We had a fabulous time working together, using our brains and having fun. It brought us closer as a family and created wonderful memories.

I highly recommend this picture book to everyone. It's not just a book, but a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you're a child or an adult, you'll surely have a great time with this amazing picture book.

I didn't have a favorable impression of this book at all.

I had placed such high expectations on it, yet it disappointingly failed in a miserable way. I was required to read this for my children's literature class in college, and I truly detested it.

Essentially, this is a picture book where several animals gather for a party. However, one of the guests consumes their food, and it is left to the readers to determine which guest is responsible by seeking clues within all the pictures.

Most of the clues ultimately turned out to be completely irrelevant distractions, and many of the deciphered clues were merely the same phrase being repeated over and over again. This was both irritating and pointless. Additionally, you can completely ignore the clues on all the pages except for approximately two specific pages. The other pages do not amount to anything of significance. I was extremely disappointed to have expended so much time deciphering clues when the majority of it was a waste of time.

I suppose it could potentially be enjoyable if you truly don't mind the fact that most of the clues are irrelevant, but it simply wasn't to my taste.

Don your favorite costume and join Horace the elephant in celebration of his eleventh birthday.

Bring your magnifying glass and your suspicion too, for a mystery awaits in The Eleventh Hour.

Graeme Base's curious tale of a birthday party gone awry is a visual treat. Eleven animals arrive for Horace's party, all bedecked in costume.

The Pig came as an Admiral, the Zebra as a Punk.

The Rhino was an Astronaut, his spacesuit made of junk.

The Swan arrived as Princess Pure, a most enchanting sight, bejewelled with rows of precious stones and dressed in purest white.

Horace has a sweet pad, no doubt about it. The colorful, crowded illustrations depicting the various rooms of his house pay tribute to architecture found in Rome, Egypt, Asia, Africa and more.

A glorious array of delectable treats await in the medieval banquet hall.

For there upon the table was The feast That Horace Made, a wondrous spread of cakes and buns and jugs of lemonade.

And in its midst a Centerpiece of Grand Design was placed, that left no doubt young Horace had superb artistic taste.

Before the eleventh hour strikes, a hideous crime occurs. It's up to the reader to puzzle out the clues and solve the mystery.

Secret clues, along with a hidden message, can be found on every page. Some are obvious, while others require keen eyes and intellect. For those who wish to solve the mystery themselves, much detective work awaits. And for readers who can't handle not knowing whodunit, a useful answer key can be found in the back of the book with these words from the author:

The getting of wisdom is no match for the thrill of the chase, and those who choose the longer road shall reap their reward!

In their dotage, the Offspring will still vividly recall the days when their crazy mom had a signed first edition of this or that book. She would read those precious books to them with great enthusiasm, her voice carrying the magic of the stories.

However, she was extremely particular about one thing. She wouldn't let them touch those books until they had washed their hands thoroughly. It was as if those books were the most precious treasures in the world, and she was determined to protect them from any possible harm.

The Offspring, at that time, might have found it a bit annoying or strange, but as they grew older and looked back, they realized the significance of their mom's actions. It was not just about protecting the books; it was about instilling in them a sense of respect and care for valuable things.

And so, even in their dotage, when the memories of their childhood days fade, the image of their crazy mom and her precious signed first editions will still remain etched in their minds, a reminder of the love and lessons she imparted to them.

This was a gift for my then, twenty-year-old daughter. She loved it. It was truly one of her favorites.

Who says all kids books have to be read to, or bought for kids? :D In fact, many books that are classified as kids books can hold great appeal for people of all ages. My daughter, at twenty, still found joy and entertainment in this particular kids book. It goes to show that the charm of a good story is not limited by age. Whether it's the colorful illustrations, the simple yet engaging plot, or the valuable life lessons it may impart, a kids book can touch the hearts of readers young and old alike. So, don't be afraid to explore the world of kids books, even if you're well past your childhood years. You might just discover a new favorite.

Book: The Eleventh Hour
Author: Graeme Base
Genre: Picture books, Children’s Books
Recommend: Yes
Amount of Pages 32
My feelings:
From the very first page, this book had us completely spellbound. It was as if we were pulled into a magical world right away. The whole family was utterly captivated by the mysterious tale that slowly unfolded before our eyes. At first glance, I thought it was just a straightforward and simple story. But as we delved deeper into its pages, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that there was an actual mystery waiting to be solved. The solution was cleverly locked at the end of the book, and we eagerly anticipated the moment when we could finally open it and reveal the culprit. We took our time with this one, carefully poring over each page in search of hidden clues. Even the kids became completely engrossed in the case, determined to crack it before anyone else. And who could blame them? The illustrations in this book are truly stunning. They are filled with intricate details and clever hints that are skillfully woven into every border. The artwork is like a magnificent Baroque painting, rich and opulent in its details. It vividly depicts eleven animals gathered at a grand birthday party. The host has prepared an extravagant feast that can only be eaten at a specific time. However, before dinner can even arrive, disaster strikes - someone sneaks in and devours all the food! Who could it have been? We've been racking our brains, trying to figure it out, but so far, the answer remains frustratingly elusive. As we turn each page and examine every detail of the stunning illustrations, we are transported into a world of mystery and wonder. This book is truly a masterpiece, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep us guessing all the way to the end. I highly recommend it to everyone, whether you're a child or an adult. It's a book that will surely delight and engage you from start to finish.

A truly engaging mystery awaits within the pages of this captivating work. It is filled with a plethora of clues to discover, intricate ciphers to decrypt, and challenging puzzles to solve. The beautiful artwork that accompanies the mystery adds an extra layer of allure, making it a visually stunning experience as well. However, it is important to remember that the crime committed against Horace on his 11th birthday (or at any time for that matter) was a truly heinous act. It serves as a reminder that behind the fun and excitement of the mystery-solving lies a real and tragic event.
P.S. Be cautious of red herrings that may lead you astray. These false clues are cunningly placed to test your deductive skills and keep you on your toes throughout the investigation. So, sharpen your wits, follow the clues, and see if you can solve the mystery before it's too late.

Ok, this might just be the absolute coolest kids' book ever. If you happen to have a really smart kid who has a passion for puzzles or codes, then this book is a must-have. It took us a solid two or three hours to solve the entire book. The excitement was palpable, and we were so engrossed that we completed it in one sitting, working feverishly. It truly is that captivating. My child did manage to solve it, although we had to seek a hint from the internet to figure out the swan's name. I would say that a smart 8-year-old and above can handle it, perhaps with a little bit of assistance. Besides being extremely fun, the book is also incredibly lovely. My kid is now thoroughly enjoying looking back at the amazing illustrations. It's sort of like a "da Vinci Code" for kids, but in my opinion, this book is far superior. I'm so impressed that I'm planning to buy a whole bunch of these to give out as birthday gifts to the kids in my life.

The story presented in this book was not overly captivating or fulfilling.

However, it's important to note that the story isn't truly the main focus here. The real essence lies in all the puzzles and "clues" cleverly concealed within the pictures.

Regrettably, in the attempt to cram in "oh, so many!" things to discover in the images, very few (or perhaps even none) of them are actually essential for solving the mystery.

Moreover, many of the hidden messages either blatantly state "red herring" or, even if they don't, they don't offer much useful information anyway. (For example, "Watch the clocks!" - the first time it might be interesting, but by the third or fourth time, it just becomes annoying.)

I read this book with my daughter, and we managed to uncover some of the hidden messages. We did manage to figure out who stole the feast, although it was mostly through decryption rather than intense picture searching.

Afterward, we read the explanation, which had significantly more words than the story itself, and our reaction was just a simple "okay".

This is precisely why I gave it a two-star rating.

I actually read this book for the first time while completing the genre presentation with my group. I have to say, that I was really surprised.

When I initially flipped through it, I saw all the colorful illustrations and the busy pages, and was really intrigued. Finding a picture book in the mystery genre is truly difficult. I'm really impressed with all the details throughout the book, as well as the diverse backgrounds and style employed.

I really liked how at the end, it turns out to be the mouse who ate the dinner (along with some friends, of course). This is demonstrated by the careful placing of mice in the busy illustrations to hint to the reader. Of course, the "red herring" here is the size of the mouse, and everyone suspects that whoever ate the dinner must have been very big.

Overall, I am totally in love with this book. The word choice was spectacular and incredibly fun. This would be fantastic for elementary or middle school age kids. The thematic was also appropriate for this age group. I like how the clues were presented to the reader in a not so obvious way, and the plot twist at the end (once the solution is presented, of course).

I also found a lot of enjoyment in the illustrations, as mentioned above. They are very busy in order to conceal the details to solve the mystery but were very engaging, and the colors really seemed to burst off the pages. The style and text were perfectly in line. Entertainment value aside, this was a fun and interesting read. It's a book that not only entertains but also challenges the reader's thinking and观察力. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and engaging picture book.

I have very fond memories of the countless hours of pure fun I had while working out the puzzles in this book together with my mother when I was around 5th grade. Just like all of Graeme Base's remarkable books, the illustrations in this story are truly outstanding.

They are filled with an abundance of amazing details that simply cannot all be noticed during just a single reading. The story itself is highly enjoyable, featuring a clever rhyme scheme that adds to its charm.

The puzzles are quite challenging, and it will require a significant amount of time even for extremely clever children to figure them out. In fact, they may very well need some assistance from a friendly adult! I vividly remember feeling an immense sense of pride when I managed to figure out the identity of the thief without ever having to peek at the solution at the end.

However, if you do find yourself in need of some help, rest assured that the solution is there for you. And even if you think you've figured out the answer on your own, it's still worth taking a look at the solution to see what clever riddles you might have overlooked. You don't necessarily have to solve every single puzzle in order to arrive at the answer in the end.

Even without the presence of the clever puzzles, this book would still be a winner solely based on its illustrations. But the hours of entertainment that the puzzles provide truly push it to an even higher level. I would highly recommend this book for any children in the later grades of elementary school. However, even younger children will still be able to delight in the illustrations and the story, albeit they may not be able to solve all the puzzles without a great deal of help.