Welcome to another children’s book review! This week, I’m digging through my old favourites to share a book I received for my eleventh birthday (ten years ago *cough cough*) with you: The Eleventh Hour.
—-
The Eleventh Hour / Graeme Base
(Penguin, 1998)
 |
| Image source* |
Last year, I shared our family’s favourite picture books. The Eleventh Hour* just missed out on inclusion. This had little to do with the book being inferior to those selected, and a lot to do with the ages of my children.
If I were to write that list again now, it would definitely feature.
The Eleventh Hour is my all-time favourite Graeme Base book. And I’m thrilled that my daughter now enjoys it too.
Horace the Elephant is turning Eleven. He plans a Grand Affair (a Fancy Dress one, of course), and cooks a Fantastic Feast for the Guests to enjoy after a morning of Games.
But the Feast disappears. Who is to blame?
Base’s artwork is legendary, but his rhymes and rhythm are no less amazing. I like that he doesn’t tone down the language and choose the simpler word just because he’s writing for children. He assumes – rightfully so – that children will understand from context, and learn new words in the process.
I had the pleasure of meeting Base (briefly) at Melbourne Zoo earlier this year. I took our collection of books to sign for the kids. And he signed most of them for the kids.
But I had him write this one to me. Because, well, you know. I got it for my eleventh birthday once upon a time, and I ain’t giving it up!
*affiliate link
—-
Have you or your children read The Eleventh Hour? What did you think?
And do you have any recommendations for future reviews?
I love Graeme Base too. We love ‘Uno’s Garden’ in our house and my grade 1/2 class love it too. We have a large Graeme Base collection (thanks to my Mum who can’t resist buying them for my boys!) I also noted that the handwriting on the invitation page looks suspiciously like Aunty Marge’s – did she give you that book for your eleventh birthday?
We only have a small version of Uno’s Garden – might have to splurge and get the proper one. And yes, that would be your mum’s handwriting in the book! Thanks – it’s still a fave!
How very cool that you met him and got him to sign your copy! I hadn’t even heard of the book until this post (will you still be my friend???) but will definitely look into it now! x
BFFs 4EVA Grace! It was wonderful to meet him. A was hilarious – she asked him why he drew an elephant in the book, and he said he drew all of the pictures in the book, even Horace, and she told him that no, they’d all been in the book before we got there. Too funny.
My four year old is just getting into Graeme Base. I’ve always thought his Animalia illustrations would make great wall art in a kids room.
They really would! Great idea. Those horrible hairy hogs would be a little frightening though!