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Graeme Base's "The Eleventh Hour" is one of the most-clever and entertaining books I have ever read. I can think of no other book (consisting only of 31 pages!) that can succeed in holding my rapt attention for several hours! Honestly, if you pick up this book, I guarantee you will be pouring over it for at LEAST three hours afterward (and loving every minute of it!). This book has an adorable storyline that flows rhythmically through its thirty one pages in rhyming verses. It tells the playful story of an elephant's 11th birthday party. But the happy story ends in an intriguing mystery; a mystery that is left to the readers to solve. Going back to the beginning, readers explore and study each of the beautiful and skillfully detailed illustrations in order to find clues hidden amidst puzzles and riddles which eventually lead to the mystery's conclusion. Base succeeds in creating riddles that are challenging, but not impossible. And there are three or four different methods of coming across the solution to the mystery, which subtly offers several ranges of difficulty, making the mystery solvable for many different ages. I will always give this book the highest rating available, due to its immense entertainment capabilities and it's clever storyline. I would not classify this as strictly a "children's book", for though young children can have the story read to them, and enjoy it and the colorful pictures; a young child is not likely to solve the mystery on his/her own without a generous amount of help from someone older (or the "top secret solution pages" at the end of the book). On top of that, I wouldn't call this a "children's book" because I have seen grown adults reading, decoding, and loving this book for hours and hours on end! It's a terrific book that I would recommend to any individual who fancies him or herself a good sleuth with a clever mind and a sharp eye. It would also be a wonderful idea for a gift. This book is a good way to teach children contemplation and problem-solving skills. Plus, children who follow the mystery to its clever conclusion will find a thrilling sense of satisfaction at seeing something difficult to its end. Not to mention, it is hours worth of fun rolled up into something that isn’t a video game or movie. Buy this book, and I assure you, you will not regret the purchase!Read full review
was a gift, didn't read
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a spectacular book for children and provides lessons that will be needed in life. I read the book when I was young, my children read it when they were young and we all remember the story. Great reading. I decided to buy this book so other children can enjoy the story.
I bought this book because of a lady I met in a store, who told me she purchases this book for every child's gift she gives. She was so excited about it----so I ordered it for my 7 Year old granddaughter. It's beautiful, but the concept of the hunt(gave inside the book), was too hard for her. I even had trouble figuring it out. But the artwork is beautiful!
One of my children's favorite books when they were young. The artwork in this book is incredible. I wanted this one for my grandchildren. I believe they will enjoy it as much as their parents did.