The Water Hole

Author: Graeme Base

Publishing:  Penguin Group

Number of Pages: Paperback—30 pages

Genre:  Picture Book

Reading Level:  Ages 4-8

Summary: This book is about a bunch of animals from all around the world coming to a water hole to drink.  It starts with 1 rhino drinking, then 2 tigers, then 3 toucans, and then 4 snow leopards.  Every time more animals drink from the watering hole the water gets less and less—the pool gets smaller.  It continues on with 5 moose, then 6 catfish, then 7 pandas, then 8 ladybugs, and then 9 tortoises.  By this time almost all of the water was gone, by the time 10 kangaroos arrive there is no water left, so all of the animals went away.  Luckily, then it starts to rain, and rain, and rain.  Then all of the animals come back.  In the end we learn where all of the animals are from: Africa, India, South America, Himalayas, North America, Rivers and Streams, China, Europe, Galapagos Islands, and Australia.  One of the greatest things about this book is the pictures that are shown in it.  There is a ton of detail; all the pictures are bright and colorful, and just absolutely beautiful.  We learn at the beginning of the book that the illustrations were done with watercolors, pencil, and gouache on hot-press illustration board.

My Reaction to the Book:  I thought that this was a great book.  My very favorite part was the pictures—they are absolutely gorgeous!!! Graeme Base does such an amazing job with his work. 

Potential Problems:  The water runs out for the animals so this could possibly scare someone and make them worry but other than that I did not see any problems. 

Recommendations:  I would definitely recommend this book to people mainly for the art that is in it because it is absolutely beautiful.  The story is good too though, and I think kids would enjoy the cut out of the pond.  It would also be a good book to help children learn how to count.