The Eleventh Hour

The Eleventh Hour
Graeme Base
Harry N. Abrams
Copyright: 1988
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:
Horace is turning eleven and is having a party. He sends out invitations to his best friends. He makes eleven foods that elephants like and prepares eleven games to play. The next day when the guests arrive, they go in to look at the feast. But before they can eat Horace has games planned. They have a sac race, musical chairs, a card game, snakes and ladders, and a Cricket match. The played pool, and Blind Man’s Bluff. They played tennis, hide and seek, and even chess. Their final game was Tug o’ War after which they headed back to the house. Upon reaching the dining room they discover the feast is gone. Each one declares their innocence. Horace decides it really doesn’t matter and brings sandwiches for everyone. If you follow the clues you’ll find that the mice ate it all.

Who would benefit from this book?
I think anyone who likes puzzles would really enjoy this. A child who has a learning disability like A.D.D. might benefit as well. There’s a lot on the page to keep their attention.

Any potential problems?
The book is very busy. So if someone is easily overwhelmed they probably shouldn’t read this book in one sitting.

My Reaction:
I did not personally enjoy this book. It was much too busy for me. I had a hard time even finding the mice on each page. To me they didn’t even look like mice.