All of Graeme Base's books are absolutely stunning from the story to the illustrations. However, this book is his shinning accomplishment. The story is wonderful and only exceeded by the gorgeous illustrations. This book can be read cover to cover but then it is also fun to go back and solve on the hidden puzzles. ( )

The eleventh hour is a story about an elephant who hosts a party for his own birthday. He creates many lavish dishes for his friends. Before the elephant and his friends eat the feast they play many birthday games. After the games, the elephant and his guests find that someone has eaten all of the birthday meal. Beautiful illustrations to enjoy as you read the story and the art also reveals who ate the birthday dinner.

This is a very whimsical children's book. The illustrations are spectacular and there's so much detail it takes a couple of times to read to really see everything. The stories cute and children under 9 I think will enjoy it very much.

Even though I love the art the illustrations are overwhelming especially when you realize that only searching through the art is how you find who had devoured the meal.

I never did find out who done it I had bought this as a gift for a nephew. I would probably search through it again if I had had the time. It definitely would be good to help kids as a visual exercise. ( )

My speech therapist use to make me read Graeme Base books aloud ad-nauseam. It’s only as an adult I have come to love each and every one. These are just so much more than a rhyming story. They are also a mystery. And each illustration hides a message. Some easy some not. Can you figure out who at the birthday feast. I’m not telling. ( )

The illustrations in this book are so rich and full of intricate and detailed quality images. I know the book is a mystery puzzle book, but I enjoyed reading all of the rhymes and unique details about the animals. I would enjoy reading this to a class of students because I think they would get invested in the mystery and what happened to all of the food. This book could also be used in small groups, where each group has to come up with their own hypothesis about what happened. Each group would come up with their own unique answers, and they would all have their own evidence from the book to explain their reasoning and decision as to what happened in the story. ( )

"When Horace turned Eleven he decided there should be
Some kind of celebration. "For my friends', he said, 'and me.'
For though I've been the age of eight and nine and six and seven,
This is the very first time that I've ever been Eleven."

This is a rhyming mystery complete with Graeme Base's amazing artwork and detective work to complete for those who are willing to study the pictures. It can be enjoyed on several levels and by a range of ages. Good fun! ( )