An 11-year-old's imagination knows no bounds, and this is especially true when that 11-year-old is an elephant. In Graeme Base's meticulously detailed book, an elephant reaches the age of 11 and decides to throw a magnificent party.

He invites all of his friends, who happen to be a diverse range of animals. They all don their finest attire and head to this splendid party, which features a sumptuous feast. However, none of them are permitted to eat until the 11th hour. So, in the meantime, they have a great time playing games.

The excitement of the games sometimes leads to a bit of ruckus and even a few fights, but in the end, it's all in good fun.

This book is similar to an "I-spy" game, with numerous hidden pictures within its pages. The illustrations are so detailed that they might even seem a bit cluttered. But this artistry adds another dimension to the story, as the pictures can be欣赏 as masterpieces on their own. The animals are depicted with such realism that it draws the reader in, adding to the amusement of seeing animals behave in this way.

The rhyming style in which the book is written makes it not only fun and engaging but also helps the reader learn pronunciations. Overall, this book has so much going on that it constantly keeps the reader interested. We wholeheartedly recommend it.

Kate Ballan

Oksanna Scheidt

Jennifer Johnson

The other day, my son brought this home from my parents' house.

As soon as I saw it, I remembered it vividly as one of my all-time favorite children's books.

And to my great delight, it didn't disappoint me in the slightest.

This who-dunnit mystery is truly teeming with an abundance of hidden puzzles.

There are so many of them that I couldn't even solve some of them today.

It includes things like Morse code, musical notes, and much more.

I had an absolute blast re-\\"reading\\" (or perhaps it's more accurate to say \\"puzzling over\\") this wonderful book.

In fact, I was so enthralled that I promptly ordered seven more of Base's books.

Although ostensibly it was for my kids, deep down, I know I'm just as excited to explore those books myself.

It's amazing how a simple children's book can bring back so many memories and provide such endless entertainment.

I can't wait to see what other hidden treasures lie within the pages of the new books I ordered.

Wow, what an amazing book!

I had read it before, but that time I didn't bother to search for clues, solve the mystery, or even read the solution. I always intended to come back and spend more time with this wonderful book, and I'm so glad I finally did!

This time around, as I read the book, I actively looked for clues, deciphered numerous hidden messages, and managed to solve the mystery even before reaching the solution pages! And boy, when I did read the solution pages, they pointed out many clues that I hadn't even noticed. Although some of those clues were red herrings, which I was relieved I didn't waste time on!

If you have a passion for cracking codes, paying attention to minute details, and solving mysteries, you are sure to enjoy this book. The story can be simply enjoyed on the surface level by just reading through the rhyming text and looking at the fun, extremely detailed illustrations. However, you won't be able to figure out WHO the thief was without delving a little deeper! It's truly a captivating and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My husband had this book during his childhood.

Even though I adored Animalia when I was a kid, this particular book was not part of my collection.

During the Thanksgiving break, the two of us spent a couple of nights solving this mystery. What a great and enjoyable way to spend an evening!

The mystery is straightforward enough for an older child to solve with a bit of parental assistance. However, the clues in code are rather challenging.

There are numerous beautiful and humorous details concealed within the illustrations, and the entire concept is executed extremely well.

It's truly a remarkable book that offers both entertainment and a bit of a brain teaser.

We had a wonderful time working on it together and discovered a new appreciation for this hidden gem.

I'm glad my husband introduced it to me, and I look forward to sharing it with others in the future.

A beautifully illustrated story awaits you! On every page, there are captivating pictures filled with clues that the reader can use to solve a mystery. Oh my goodness! It's truly amazing! Yes! YES! YESSSS!!!!!! I have fallen in love with this book. The mystery presented is straightforward enough for children to have a go at solving it. However, the clues are also complex enough to engage an adult who loves puzzles. It's a book that bridges the gap between different age groups and interests. I absolutely recommend this book to mystery lovers, puzzle solvers, or anyone who enjoys a whimsical story. It's a book that will bring joy and excitement to your reading experience. Love, LOVE! LOVE!!!!

If the world were keeping track, it would surely be aware that my wife has likely set some sort of remarkable record for reading to our children. However, alas, the world fails to keep track of and remunerate such wonderful behavior.

Rarely do I get the opportunity to read to the kids, but whenever that precious turn comes my way, I often select this particular book. The children are completely captivated by the amazing artwork within its pages, while I, on the other hand, am more deeply impressed by the sophisticated rhyming. Call me simple if you will, but I truly love good rhyming. Here is a prime example from my favorite page:

The Zebra said, 'It wasn't I!
By All my Stripes, I'd rather die!'
The Tiger said, 'It wasn't me!
I've far too much integrity.'
Then Cora cried, 'It wasn't us!
We wouldn't dare cause such a fuss.'
And Kilroy squeaked, 'I'm far too small;
One mouse could never eat it all!'

The Swan looked darkly at the Pig,
The Thief must be someone who's big!'
But Oliver denied all guilt,
And said, 'Now Thomas, he's well built.'
The Rhino sobbed, through sniffs and tears,
'I've known our Host for years and years,
And though my appetite is large,
I must deny this dreadful charge.'

The Cat had yet to say a word,
Which Eric thought could be inferred
As Prima Facie evidence
Of Feline Guilt re this Offence.
But Alexandra lashed her tail,
'Your theories are to no avail!
We Cats do not steal others' food.
It's wicked, bad and very rude!'

The Judge was next: 'I too deny,
Although I have no alibi,
All blame for this horrendous crime...'
(He babbled on for quite some time.)
'I'm not the kind of Crocodile
To fake a tear or force a smile.
My countenance is plain to read;
My friends, I did not do this deed!'

This book truly brings a unique charm and entertainment to our reading sessions with the kids, and I'm so glad to have discovered it.

This one truly demands some real concentration.

I found myself continuously getting lost in the fabulous illustrations.

The first time I went through it, I even missed some clues.

However, I finally caught on!

It's a truly fabulous book, especially for this time of quarantine.

I really wish I had smaller children to enjoy this one with.

It would have been such a wonderful experience to share the magic of this book with them.

The detailed illustrations would have surely captured their imagination and kept them engaged for hours.

Despite not having kids by my side, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and its charming story.

It provided a much-needed escape from the daily routine and brought a smile to my face.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read during these challenging times.

This is a truly beautiful book.

The story within its pages is captivating and full of intrigue.

I found myself completely immersed in the narrative, eagerly turning each page in the hopes of uncovering the mystery that lay at its core.

However, despite my best efforts, I simply wasn't smart enough to figure it out on my own.

The author had crafted the plot with such skill and finesse that it eluded my understanding until the very end.

Nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading this book.

The beautiful prose and engaging characters made it a pleasure to read, even if I didn't manage to solve the mystery.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and a beautifully written story.

This is an excellent mystery story that is perfect for older young kids.

My niece and I had a great time reading it together. I took the precaution of pre-reading the book before sharing it with her. I have to confess that I had to "cheat" and peek at the key in the back of the book to figure out the solution to the mystery.

I don't think the clues were overly obvious, which is a positive aspect of a mystery. If this were a mystery for adults, I would have thought it was superb! However, in a children's mystery story, perhaps a few slightly more evident clues would have been beneficial. I'm not suggesting that the challenge should be eliminated, but an occasional easier hint would have been appreciated.

In conclusion, my niece loved the book, but I'm aware that she wouldn't have been able to identify any of the clues independently. The illustrations were beautiful, as expected. And as another reviewer pointed out, the rhyming text was exceptionally well-written! The combination of the illustrations and the well-crafted text elevates this book from a three-star rating to a four-star rating for me.

Graeme Base is indeed a legend in the world of children's books, and there is no doubt about that. His works are always filled with creativity and intelligent design. Every time you read them, there is something new to discover. "The Eleventh Hour" is no exception.

For the youngest readers, this is a bright, cheerful, and engaging book written in simple rhyming couplets that are easy to read aloud. As readers grow older, they can notice more details in the illustrations, such as finding all the characters and seeing what they are doing or playing in each scene, and also learning new words. For older readers, there is a mystery to solve, with multiple paths leading to the same solution.

This book is not held in the same high regard as "Animalia." Unlike that classic, it tells a more linear narrative, which is neither good nor bad. The plot is as simple as a costume birthday party for an elephant named Horace (the attending animals wear some rather cute costumes). The animals play a variety of games to pass the time until it's time to eat, and these games take place in different environments that suit the animals.
Like most of Graeme Base's books, I recommend this one to people of all ages. It is beautiful and enjoyable. (This isn't the best review, but books like this are hard for me to review, and I still have to write one for "Animalia" at some point.)

This book had an incredibly captivating effect on me when I was a child.

I could spend hours and hours completely engrossed in its pages.

It was truly a remarkable experience as every single time I picked it up and started reading, I would uncover something fresh and exciting on each and every page.

The content was so rich and diverse that it never failed to surprise me.

I found myself constantly drawn back to this book, eager to explore its mysteries once again.

It became one of my most cherished possessions, and I have a deep and abiding love for it to this day.

Even now, when I think about that book, I can still feel the sense of wonder and joy that it brought me during those precious childhood hours.

It will always hold a special place in my heart.

You could easily spend 11 hours with The Eleventh Hour.

This is a remarkable book that you might think you could breeze through in just a few minutes. However, if you have the inclination to solve the captivating whodunit mystery within this concise 32-page story, be prepared to invest several hours intently poring over both the text and the illustrations. Despite the author's assertion on the Notes for Detectives page that it is rather straightforward to uncover which of the 11 animals pilfered the feast, in reality, it is far from easy. So, do not feel disheartened or stupid if you don't immediately figure it out. Fortunately, there is a relatively simple way to crack the case, and that is presented right there on the same Notes for Detectives page. It involves solving the simple letter substitution code on that very page. The first letter of the culprit animal is the key to substituting for the first letter of the coded message. By methodically plugging in the first letter of each animal in turn, by the 10th attempt, you should arrive at the answer (you don't need to go through all 11 tries, as if the 10th one fails, you can automatically deduce that the 11th is correct).

One crucial aspect to be aware of if you decide to read this book is that you require either really sharp eyesight or a really good magnifying glass. The illustrations are exquisitely detailed, and the clues are cunningly hidden within these intricate details, making them extremely challenging to spot on many occasions. If you are over 40, chances are you will probably need some excellent reading glasses or that trusty magnifying glass. You will also have to reread the text numerous times, constantly going back and forth between the pages, meticulously scrutinizing both the text and the illustrations. If you are truly passionate about solving puzzles, you could effortlessly spend an entire day engrossed in this book. Therefore, make sure you have no pressing work commitments before you pick it up and embark on this thrilling reading adventure.

This is undoubtedly one of the finest detective stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.