The Water Hole

Really? The paper cover was bent diagonally and torn almost entirely in half. The cover of the book itself was ripped along tne spine. It's going to cost about as much as the book itself to initiate the exchange. Super frustrating.

What a wonderful children's book this creation by Graeme Base is! The author has been able, trough word and art; really inseparable in this case, to offer so many learning tools, such good lessons, and such visual delights. All is stunning here.
"Down to the secret water hole the animals all come.
As seasons bring fourth drought and flood, they gather there as one.
United in their common need, their numbers swell to ten -
But hidden deep among the trees lie ten times that again!"

To start with, this is a counting book which goes to the number 10. This is merely a vehicle to hang a much more important message or messages on. First, each page has a circular ring cut into it in the middle of the water hole. As the reader turns the pages, the ring gets smaller and smaller, reflecting the natural cycle of any non-spring fed pond. This is a rather unique and effective visual effect which enhances the work greatly as the child can actually physically see the results the seasons have upon this small water source.

With the turning of each page the author has taken us around the world; different ecological environments are represented on each plate; Africa, India, South America, Himalayas, North America, Rivers and Streams, China, Europe, Galapagos Islands and Australia...they are all skillfully blending together. Each area blends into the next as the pages turn. The author has used the wildlife, plant life and terrain of each of these areas and well represented their physical surroundings and each one blends with the next almost as if my magic...different geographical areas, different animals...same pond.

As the seasons progress the water hole or pond becomes smaller and smaller until the pond is empty. The animals all go away, the plant life dies back and there is nothing but barren waste...how depressing! But wait! A single drop of rain falls, then more drops fall, the rains come! As if my magic the forest, desert, plains renew themselves, the plants return, the animals return...and the cycle begins again.

It should be noted that this is an extremely accurate description of how it really is. I have been watching, quite closely I may say, such a pond deep in the woods behind our home for around 25 years now, and each year I watch this phenomenal example of nature at work. Even the small catfish and frogs that happen to make this place their homes return after the water returns...seemingly a resurrection, miracle if you will.

The art work in this book is absolutely stunning in its color and detail. A child, indeed an adult, can be lost for hours examining each picture as the pages are turned. While each animal and plant are very accurately depicted, the author has thrown in a bit of whimsy here and there such as placing a hat, vest or robe of a hidden frog here and there. Sounds strange, I know, but it works in this case...trust me!

People Magazine, a publication that I truly detest, got it right for once when they stated that Base's art as the elements of "the eye of a Renaissance painter and the ear of Dr. Seuss," when they described this author's work.

This entire work is a class act and you should give your child, and yourself, a treat and read this one together.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Visit the water hole where animals from all over the world and many different habitats come for a drink and a splash. First there's the rhino, then two tigers, three toucans and four snow leopards. Is it my imagination, or is the pool growing smaller? Next come five moose, six catfish, seven pandas, eight ladybugs, nine tortoises and finally ten kangaroos. "There was nothing to say. The water was all gone. And the animals went away." The earth is now dry and cracked, waiting for rain. The sky grows dark, the clouds appear and splat; one big drop hits the ground..... Graeme Base has outdone himself with this deceptively simple counting book. His text, complete with humorous asides and wonderful animal sound effects is easy and fun to read. But it's Mr Base's amazing, innovative and creative arwork that really makes this book stand out. By using a die-cut hole, youngsters can actually watch the water hole get smaller and smaller with each page turn, until it all but disappears. His detailed, lush scenes are a veritable feast for the eyes and beg to be explored. Each bold, bright and busy page is bordered with the silhouettes of animal filled landscapes and if you look closely and very carefully, you'll be able to find these additional animals hidden in the pictures. Perfect for children 4-8, The Water Hole is a counting book, science book, geography book and marvelous interactive book all rolled into one and a must for all home libraries.

The artwork and intrigue of "Animalia" and "The Eleventh Hour" is at least equalled if not surpassed in this splendid book. Base provides families and readers of all ages with a magnificent work: an ecological view of geography; an early science primer; a counting book (coming close to "One Dragon's Dream" by Peter Pavey); exercises for left and right brain... Very definitely I add this to my wishlist: One Thousand Books I Would Give To Any Child. It transcends political correctness or cultural miopia. It invites readers of all genders, creeds, and races to engage in an exploration of physical and temporal plains. Some books should never go out of print and Base's family, for seven generations (at least!) should benefit from the royalties of a remarkable treasure. I can only effuse and if I must criticise it is that I would like further notes in fine print at the rear so that I can pronounce "Prezwalski Horse" and "Quagga" correctly and to have some assistance in recalling "Mt. Rushmore" but the absence of such notes in no way impends a pleasurable reading. We've had the book in our possession for less than 24 hours and eleven children aged 2 to 13 have clamoured for "another go", reading as individuals and groups, and demanding more conversations inspired by the rich illustrations. Graeme, if you're out there, please come to our place for dinner.

The Water HoleThe Water Hole
The short:
"Down to the secret waterhole the animals all come...." and all the other fun has been left out of this version. It's a great counting book, but that is all the board book version has to offer.

The long:
I am a huge fan of Graeme Base, and especially The Waterhole. The details of his art, and the mastery with which he incorporates hidden images is amazing! I purchased our first copy of The Waterhole in 2000 as a hardbound edition. We used it to teach our autistic son to count to 10. Two kids later, we are on our third hardbound copy of the Water Hole - the book has been very well loved and very well read!!

Each page is richly illustrated and each page of the hardbound and paperback editions contain text and illustrations to stimulate minds from the infant to the adult reading the book. Our 2 year-old likes to point out the numbers, the first-grader likes to read the medium-font text, and the older children like to read the finer print, including what the animals are really saying! The oldest has just discovered that each page has 10 hidden animals and he is well on his way to discovering all of them! Another likes that each animal page represents a different ecosystem/geographic region. Each child has their own favorite page - "Ark, ark" and "Bzui" and "Hey get your hoof out of my ear!" and "Okay, which of you wise guys hid all the water?"(read v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y) will be repeated randomly throughout the day.

When I saw there was a Board Book edition, I was thrilled!! Finally a more-sturdy version to give to the very youngest of readers! I purchased the boardbook edition to give to my 1-year-old nephew, but when I saw that the board book only offers the numbers on each page and none of the fun text, it was disappointing to say the least. Furthermore, because of the way the images were cropped to fit the boardbook format, the borders with the hidden animal keys are gone. Also, some of the images themselves were cropped, so even if you know where some of the hidden animals are, they may not be shown entirely in this version. (Some of the frogs are cut off on the last page). We purchased a paperback copy of the book that includes the full-text to give to my nephew in addition to the board book. This way he has one to chew on and one for Mom and Dad to read to him.

I would only recommend the board book edition of The Waterhole if you wanted to give your very youngest reader something to hold and chew upon while you read him/her the hardbound or paperback edition. I will say that the maintained waterhole cut out makes it super easy for young fingers to grasp and turn pages (and less likely that they'll tear).

The Water HoleThe Water Hole
The short:
"Down to the secret waterhole the animals all come...." and all the other fun has been left out of this version. It's a great counting book, but that is all the board book version has to offer.

The long:
I am a huge fan of Graeme Base, and especially The Waterhole. The details of his art, and the mastery with which he incorporates hidden images is amazing! I purchased our first copy of The Waterhole in 2000 as a hardbound edition. We used it to teach our autistic son to count to 10. Two kids later, we are on our third hardbound copy of the Water Hole - the book has been very well loved and very well read!!

Each page is richly illustrated and each page of the hardbound and paperback editions contain text and illustrations to stimulate minds from the infant to the adult reading the book. Our 2 year-old likes to point out the numbers, the first-grader likes to read the medium-font text, and the older children like to read the finer print, including what the animals are really saying! The oldest has just discovered that each page has 10 hidden animals and he is well on his way to discovering all of them! Another likes that each animal page represents a different ecosystem/geographic region. Each child has their own favorite page - "Ark, ark" and "Bzui" and "Hey get your hoof out of my ear!" and "Okay, which of you wise guys hid all the water?"(read v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y) will be repeated randomly throughout the day.

When I saw there was a Board Book edition, I was thrilled!! Finally a more-sturdy version to give to the very youngest of readers! I purchased the boardbook edition to give to my 1-year-old nephew, but when I saw that the board book only offers the numbers on each page and none of the fun text, it was disappointing to say the least. Furthermore, because of the way the images were cropped to fit the boardbook format, the borders with the hidden animal keys are gone. Also, some of the images themselves were cropped, so even if you know where some of the hidden animals are, they may not be shown entirely in this version. (Some of the frogs are cut off on the last page). We purchased a paperback copy of the book that includes the full-text to give to my nephew in addition to the board book. This way he has one to chew on and one for Mom and Dad to read to him.

I would only recommend the board book edition of The Waterhole if you wanted to give your very youngest reader something to hold and chew upon while you read him/her the hardbound or paperback edition. I will say that the maintained waterhole cut out makes it super easy for young fingers to grasp and turn pages (and less likely that they'll tear).

In Oliver's words... (age 5, England)

I like this book because there are numbers as well as words to read and not too many reading words on each page so I get to see all the pictures quickly.

I enjoy looking for the animals hidden in each picture. Some of them are really hard to see but Mummy helps me. It's great to see the hole of water getting smaller because I know the huge raindrop will soon come.

It's funny to hear Mummy and Daddy make the noises that the animals make and I like doing that as well. The moose are funny when they put their hooves in each others ears--how CAN they do that???

I LOVE the big raindrop and when it rains a lot because this means the

animals can come back.

The last page is the best because I can see all the animals on there that I love so much.

Armchair Interviews says: Obviously a book loved by a child! A good sign.

In short, _The_Water_Hole_ is a must-have for your library!
We originally purchased the book because it was the latest Graeme Base book. Our three-year old autstic son, however, has proclaimed this book to be "his." From it, we heard him speak some of his first words. We also discovered that he knew how to count to ten.
The book is incredibly rich in detail and is engaging for pre-readers as a counting book. It remains engaging for early readers in the simplicity of the language. It continues to engage more advanced readers in the amazing detail of the drawings, and the challenge to "find the hidden animals." _The_Water_Hole_ is politically correct and environmentally friendly without bashing the reader over the head with its message.

Graeme Base is one of my favorite author/illustrators for children! I have used many of his books in my classroom teaching as a Pre-K teacher, so I was thrilled to see The Water Hole as a board book. Now as a mother, I had hoped to share it with my 1 year old daughter. The beginning of the book is very similar to the original version where the animals run out of water page by page, however it is missing the complete text. Then on the last page, it states EVERYONE and the water is back. Wait a minute! The picture of the single raindrop falling is missing! This page is so pivotal to the story because is causes the reader to think about the meaning of this drop of water. Without it, there is no explanation or even a thought given to why the water is back again. I think this ruins the book and greatly undermines the thought processes of our youngest children. I was so disapointed because this book should be shared with infants/toddlers. I am hoping they will reprint the book with the original illustrations as well as the orginal text.

Originally we bought this book because on first glance, the illustrations were amazingly vivid. Later we were thrilled to discover that there were very cleverly hidden pictures in each page of animals from around the world, with a built in theme of water=life.

If you only read the book, it only takes about 5 minutes, and that includes taking the time to count the animals. However, if you spend the time to find each of the animals listed across the top and bottom of each page, then expect to spend about 15 minutes on ONE illustration alone!

This book has outlasted every other book we have picked for our kids, bar none. So good, in fact, that I will NOT pass it along to relatives, because it will be saved for my children's children. I will simply have to buy more copies to share!

The illustrations are so vivid and gorgeous in this book. Having such high expectations of Graeme Base (I'm a big fan of his work) I was a little bit disappointed with the actual content of the book. There really isn't much of a story told here, and no fabulously rythmic poetry as in a couple of his others. There are as always, hidden details that you will have to look at the book several times to find. Hidden animals in the pictures, and the illustrations around the edge of the borders, etc. Plus just the attention to detail that is his trademark. It looks great, but not much content. (Yes I realize it's supposed to be a children's book, but I have been entertained by almost all his other ones). Not one of my favorites... but pretty.

This book is just wonderful, not only for children - my 3,5-years-old son just loves it - but also for grown-ups. The drawings are excellent, a fine mixture of realistic and cartoon with lots of subtle information in the frames. The texts are funny. The message is gripping: without water (we) all will go away.
From this book one can learn about the animals, the various continents and environments they live in, numbers one till ten. It is an experience for father and son to learn about the marvel of the waterhole.

One of my favorite children's book, "The Water Hole" is loaded with goodies of all sorts. Masterfully painted animals and creatures of all sorts from around the globe. As an artist I am truly inspired by the gifts and talents that Graeme Base so seemingly effortlessly portrays in his works of art. This book is truly clever and is garanteed to capture the attention of any child or adult for that matter.

I was first introduced to Graeme's work in about 2003 at the San Diego Zoo, I could not put the book down. Amazed and wishing I had his skills. I can't imagine the time it takes for just one single page, the patience, the energy and the creativity. The book is chock full of stunning and clever imagery, not to mention one can learn and count from this book. I highly recommend this book.

I just added this to our collection of Graeme Base Books. We now have three. Anamalia helps teach the ABC's in a fun way -- The Water Hole teaches counting -- and The Eleventh Hour is a thinking book (try to solve the mystery!) All of his books are wonderfully illustrated. All of them have an underlying puzzle/theme to keep the children's interest. My 3 1/2 year old grandson is crazy about the Water Hole. Actually, all three of them are on the top of his list. He can look at the pages for a long time. That is something amazing since he is hyperactive and sitting doesn't happen for long. He's learning and can find many different things on each page. Since my children were young, these books have been cherished.

All of Graeme Base's books are absolutely stunning from the story to the illustrations. 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.

Just awesome! The illustrations are so amazing that every time my husband and I read the book to our children we find something new to look at. And what a neat way to tell a story about conservation. AWESOME!!!!!

What an incredible visual journey -- you can spend many many minutes on each page. Hidden animals and much to explore! On the surface this is a simple book, but it's anything but! Our standard 3-4 yr old birthday gift recently.

This is such a great book, teaching about numbers and exposing you to all wildlife. The illustrations are phenomenal. There is very little text, but as you seek and find and look for the hidden animals, it becomes quite challenging. My boys started reading this book in kindergarten and they still enjoy reading it today in 2nd and 3rd grade. I actually look forward to reading it with them together also.

I loved it! The art is spectacular and even adults will enjoy finding the hidden animals. Good for many age levels BUT I bought one for my grandaughter, but gave it to a good friend. When I went to buy another one, it had no hole in the pages! It is still a beautiful book but for younger readers, I would recomend the book with the actual hole in the pages.

The Water Hole is an amazing book. The illustrations are pieces of art and the message is one of great importance. If you love wildlife and animals, this is a book for you. My daughters love looking for the hidden animals in each picture. I bought it as a Christmas gift for my daughters, but I think I purchased it more for myself.

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have ever seen. It is a simple story that talks about animals from all over the world. We received this as a gift from Australia 2 years ago for my sons third birthday and it still remains one of his favorites. Don't pass this one up.

This beautiful counting book is wonderfully illustrated and ingeniously thought out. The book works on many different levels (hidden animals, a range of themes) and has provided hours of fun and discussion for our two year old.