3.5 - 4 stars depending on if I'm tired or not, lol!

Actually, this is the kind of book that my kids would have adored when they were little. The puzzle in it is truly challenging. I don't think anyone below 3rd grade would find it easy to solve the puzzles, let alone a preschooler! However, the story is enjoyable even without focusing on the puzzle, and the illustrations are amazing.

Regarding the clues, perhaps it's because I'm getting older, but my eyes couldn't easily pick up all the clues. I really believe I would need a magnifying glass to see every detail and decipher the clues. Overall, this would be a fun book to read with a child. The child could use their sharp eyes to spot the clues, and then you could jot them down and solve the mystery together.

I love the different layers in this book. There's the story with beautiful illustrations. There are clues scattered throughout that lead you to letters that need to be unscrambled or decoded in some way. There are mice that you can find on every page, along with a clue about how many there are (my kids would have loved this part). And there are various clues and riddles that you have to read through to figure out who the culprit was!

Overall, I think this would be a great book to read with kids and then, over a series of nights, work through each page of clues and see what you can uncover. But I would recommend it more for kids who naturally enjoy puzzles or like to spot things in pictures, and I would say it might be more suitable for kids in 4th grade and up.

The illustrations are truly beautiful. They add a unique charm and visual appeal to the overall work. Each illustration seems to tell a story of its own, captivating the viewer's attention and imagination. The details are精致入微, from the colors used to the composition of the images. It's as if the illustrator has poured their heart and soul into creating these masterpieces.

These beautiful illustrations not only enhance the aesthetic value of the article or book but also help to convey the message more effectively. They make the content more engaging and easier to understand, especially for those who are more visually inclined. Whether it's a children's book, a graphic novel, or a scientific journal, illustrations have the power to bring the words to life and make the reading experience更加丰富和难忘.

In conclusion, the beauty of the illustrations cannot be overstated. They are an essential part of any creative work and deserve to be appreciated and admired for their artistic merit.

This is an absolutely fantastic mystery book written in the "who-done-it" style. It truly brings back memories of the movie Clue with Tim Curry for me. What makes it even more special is that it is written in a simple rhyme pattern, which is great for attracting the younger crowd.

In addition to the engaging writing style, the artistic style of this book is simply jaw-dropping. The details in the illustrations are amazing, making one suspect that the mystery within is equally deep. The story centers around Horace the elephant's 11th birthday costume party. He lives in a huge mansion and prepares a spectacular meal that anyone would die for. He invites all his animal friends, who come dressed in their own unique costumes. There's a zebra who is a punk rocker, a rhino who is an astronaut, and a pig who is an admiral, just to name a few.

During the day's festivities, someone sneaks away and eats all the food before the guests can enjoy it. But who could it be? Solving this mystery requires some great detective work and a close look at the pictures. There's even a secret coded message at the end of the book to decode if you manage to find the thief. Also, sealed in the back of the book is a folder by the author with all the clues written out. This picture book doesn't take any shortcuts.

I believe one of the highlights of this book is the creativity behind it. I would definitely use it in the classroom to inspire students and get their creative juices flowing. Reading it aloud to the class before a creative writing workshop would be a great idea. A minilesson could be based on the descriptive phrases in the book. For instance, the author describes the food as "A wondrous spread of cakes and buns and jugs of lemonade." Hopefully, after focusing on some of the author's phrasing, the students will be able to apply something similar in their own writing. Another fun lesson could be to have groups of students try to solve the mystery of the book! If there are enough copies, the class can be divided into small groups and each group given a book. It's probably a good idea to remove the answers first to prevent the students from peeking. This activity would be similar to a break-out activity often seen in classrooms, but with a book at the center! It would be a great way to develop students' decoding skills and support their growth in reading comprehension.

Lastly, I solved it! Can you?

If I could give The Eleventh Hour 100 stars, I would without hesitation!

This is truly the most brilliant picture book I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Not only are the illustrations breathtakingly beautiful and the story delightful, but the whole premise of this book is simply WONDERFUL!

My 17-year-old and I spent two hours engrossed in the book, pouring over the clues and studiously working through each puzzle.

By the end, our brains were hurting from the mental exercise, but we were also laughing at the sheer brilliance of what had initially seemed like a very simple story.

It had turned out to be the most "non-screen" fun we've had in a long time.

I cannot recommend The Eleventh Hour highly enough for lovers of books, as well as children of all ages and their adults.

It's a book that will engage, entertain, and challenge, providing hours of enjoyment and mental stimulation.

So, if you're looking for a book that will capture your imagination and keep you hooked from start to finish, look no further than The Eleventh Hour.

I've had this book for years and have read it a few times.

However, now that I'm older and wiser, something amazing has happened. I was finally able to solve the riddle that had eluded me before.

This book is truly a gem for those who have a passion for solving puzzles. It presents challenges that are both engaging and thought-provoking.

Whether you're a seasoned puzzle solver or just starting out, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

It will keep you entertained for hours on end as you try to untangle the mysteries within its pages.

So, if you're looking for a fun and challenging read, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed!

Wow! This was an amazing book and the illustrations were outstanding.

It was truly a delight to explore. The story was filled with interesting clues that kept my daughter and I engaged for a few days.

We spent hours poring over the pages, trying to figure out the solutions.

My daughter, with her sharp mind and keen观察力, did a better job than I did.

She was able to pick up on details that I missed and was very excited when she solved a particularly difficult clue.

The book not only provided entertainment but also helped to improve her problem-solving skills.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and engaging activity to do with their children.

It's a great way to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with this book and would give it a rating of 5 stars.

I have been using The Eleventh Hour in the classroom for a number of years now.

It is truly heartening to observe that students remain actively engaged by the captivating puzzles and riddles that are ingeniously incorporated within the illustrations.

The book has this unique charm that continues to draw students in,激发 their curiosity and critical thinking skills.

The visual nature of the puzzles and riddles makes learning not only fun but also highly effective.

Students are eager to solve the mysteries and uncover the hidden meanings, which leads to a deeper understanding of the concepts presented.

Moreover, the variety of puzzles and riddles ensures that there is something for every student, regardless of their learning style or ability level.

The Eleventh Hour has proven to be an invaluable resource in my classroom, and I look forward to using it for many more years to come.

So many puzzles, so much fun! Puzzles have always been a source of entertainment and mental stimulation for people of all ages.

Whether it's a jigsaw puzzle, a crossword, a Sudoku, or a logic puzzle, each one offers a unique challenge that can keep you engaged for hours.

Solving puzzles not only helps to improve your problem-solving skills, but it can also reduce stress and anxiety.

When you're focused on a puzzle, you're able to block out the distractions of the outside world and enter a state of relaxation.

Plus, the sense of accomplishment you get when you finally solve a difficult puzzle is truly rewarding.

So the next time you're looking for a fun and challenging activity, pick up a puzzle and see how much fun you can have!

The Eleventh Hour is truly one of the most remarkable books in existence. It is a literary and artistic masterpiece that I simply adore. The illustrations are nothing short of breathtaking, a stark contrast to the often lackluster and cartoonish drawings found in many contemporary picture books. Every page is a work of art, meticulously crafted with the greatest attention to detail. From the delicate leaves and grass outside to the intricate costumes and expressions of the characters, no aspect has been overlooked. It is rare to find books illustrated by true artists who take pride in their work and go the extra mile to create something truly outstanding. Any child who is fortunate enough to receive a copy of The Eleventh Hour will surely treasure it for this very reason.

The writing, which is entirely in verse with perfect iambic heptameter, is equally impressive. Writing poetry is no easy feat, and the author has managed to create a beautiful and engaging narrative that flows seamlessly. The rhymes and meters add a musical quality to the text, making it a joy to read aloud.

The story itself is a charming and mysterious one. Horace the elephant has invited his friends to his eleventh birthday party and has prepared a sumptuous feast. However, while the guests are enjoying the festivities, someone steals the food! The mystery unfolds as the reader is presented with a wealth of clues, codes, and hidden messages on every page. The book is also filled with jokes and visual puns, adding an element of fun and humor. Intelligent children will have a great time poring over the pages, trying to solve the mystery and discover all the hidden treasures within.

As others have noted,

many of the clues presented in this book are not particularly useful when it comes to solving the mystery. This is a rather frustrating aspect of what could otherwise be a highly engaging read. It requires a sharp eye and intense focus to work through the story and attempt to solve the mystery.

The mystery itself is disclosed in a frustrating manner. There is so little in the way of clues that even the most astute detective would struggle to identify the culprit in this who-done-it tale. Mysteries that aim to inspire young problem solvers should indeed be challenging, but they should also have a clear purpose and not rely on a convoluted twist at the end.

The writer of this book had the potential to create a much better work. They could have centered the story around a young reader, making it more relatable and engaging. Instead, we are left with a clever writer who, unfortunately, failed to execute this work effectively.

I was absolutely amazed at how incredibly well illustrated this book is.

The colors that were used throughout the book truly kept me, as the reader, engaged from start to finish. I loved reading the text and then looking up at the illustration to find exactly what the writing was referring to.

Additionally, I have to mention that I adored the fact that the illustrations were framed with a design that perfectly complemented what was happening in the pictures. For instance, there was a section about music, and the frame was adorned with music notes all around it.

Furthermore, I really loved how the book rhymed at the end of each sentence. This not only made it an easy read but also added an element of fun to the whole experience.

Overall, this book is an amazing mystery book that children will surely love to dive into and explore.

This is such an incredibly cool book!

It offers a great deal of entertainment as you engage in the exciting process of trying to figure out all of the pictures within it.

The illustrations are vivid and full of details, which makes it a real challenge to decipher their meanings.

Each page presents a new set of images that seem to tell a story or convey a particular message.

As you flip through the book, you can't help but be drawn into this world of mystery and exploration.

Whether you're a child or an adult, this book has the power to captivate your imagination and keep you entertained for hours on end.

It's a wonderful way to relax and exercise your brain at the same time.

So, if you're looking for a unique and engaging reading experience, this book is definitely worth checking out!