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The Waterhole
by
Graeme Base
Down to the secret waterhole the animals all come,
As seasons bring forth drought and flood, they gather there as one.
United in their common need, their numbers swell to ten,
But hidden deep amongst the trees lie ten times that again!
The Waterhole is an ingenious fusion of counting book, puzzle book, storybook and art book - an exhilarating journey of discovery, from the pla...more
As seasons bring forth drought and flood, they gather there as one.
United in their common need, their numbers swell to ten,
But hidden deep amongst the trees lie ten times that again!
The Waterhole is an ingenious fusion of counting book, puzzle book, storybook and art book - an exhilarating journey of discovery, from the pla...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
2001
by Viking
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This is so much more than just a counting book. It is a book that a child can grow with from toddler on up - through gradeschool and maybe even beyond. Toddlers can start with counting the animals at the water hole and just enjoy the amazing eye candy of Graeme Base's art. Preschoolers can start to find the animals that are hidden on each page (there are over a hundred in the entire book). School age children can discuss and identify the different types of animals that are both visible and hidde...more
5 likes · like · see review
view 2 comments
As 1, 2, etc. up to 10 animals come to the water hole, it gets smaller and smaller, with cool cut out pages for the water hole. Then, with rain, the water hole gets bigger again, and the final page shows all the animals when they return to it. At the end of the book the numbers 1 through 10 are again listed with the natural location of each animal in the book: by continent, country, region, or habitat. Each of the book’s pages shows different animals in different parts of the world.
I especially...more
I especially...more
3 likes · like · see review
1. Genre: Counting
2. This book talks about different animals visiting a water hole, and counts up from one to ten as the animals drink all the water. Each animal represents a different geographical area. By the tenth animal all the water is gone, but the rains come and replenish the water hole, allowing all the animals to return.
3a. Illustrations
3b. This book has very beautiful illustrations. Each shows a landscape of the different geographical areas that match the animals at the water hole. Alo...more
2. This book talks about different animals visiting a water hole, and counts up from one to ten as the animals drink all the water. Each animal represents a different geographical area. By the tenth animal all the water is gone, but the rains come and replenish the water hole, allowing all the animals to return.
3a. Illustrations
3b. This book has very beautiful illustrations. Each shows a landscape of the different geographical areas that match the animals at the water hole. Alo...more
Nov 26, 2012
Jeffrey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-lit-class-selections
1. Genre: Counting
2. Summary: This stylish counting book tells a tale of a water hole being used by the animals of the world and the as the animals drink the water hole begins to shrink. By the end of counting to ten (kangaroos) the water hole is gone and the animals leave until a rainstorm brings water again.
A. Area of Comment: Arrangement
The author uses a stylish arrangement of the animals drinking from the water hole on the right page while the text is spread out on the left page. Also each p...more
2. Summary: This stylish counting book tells a tale of a water hole being used by the animals of the world and the as the animals drink the water hole begins to shrink. By the end of counting to ten (kangaroos) the water hole is gone and the animals leave until a rainstorm brings water again.
A. Area of Comment: Arrangement
The author uses a stylish arrangement of the animals drinking from the water hole on the right page while the text is spread out on the left page. Also each p...more
Picture Book Critique #15
The Water Hole
By: Graeme Base
1. Picture Book Genre: Counting Picture Book
2. Brief Summary: The Water Hole uses the central theme of the commonalities of animals around the world that drink from a local stream, river, pond or lakes to not only assist students in learning how to count from 1 to 10 but also highlights several science and environmental themes. Graema Base does an excellent job at displaying ten very different animals from around the world beginning with one...more
The Water Hole
By: Graeme Base
1. Picture Book Genre: Counting Picture Book
2. Brief Summary: The Water Hole uses the central theme of the commonalities of animals around the world that drink from a local stream, river, pond or lakes to not only assist students in learning how to count from 1 to 10 but also highlights several science and environmental themes. Graema Base does an excellent job at displaying ten very different animals from around the world beginning with one...more
1. This is a counting book
2. This book is about animals that are experiencing a drought and they find a secret water hole. As the drought continues more animals come and the reader can count the different animals that come.
3. (a) I think this a very accurate counting book. It has different numbers represented in the book that the reader can learn. It uses the illustrations to help teach counting to the reader.
(b) I think this is a great counting book that is very appropriate. It uses a great s...more
2. This book is about animals that are experiencing a drought and they find a secret water hole. As the drought continues more animals come and the reader can count the different animals that come.
3. (a) I think this a very accurate counting book. It has different numbers represented in the book that the reader can learn. It uses the illustrations to help teach counting to the reader.
(b) I think this is a great counting book that is very appropriate. It uses a great s...more
Genre: Counting
The Waterhole
Summary: From all around the globe, animals come for a cool drink as they experience a drought. As the thirsty animals drink, the hole filled with water begins to disappear.
a) Area for comment: illustrations
Critique:
b) Not only does this book introduce young readers to the numbers 1-10, but the vivid use of illustrations encourages the reader to explore exotic animals around the world. They illustrator used realistic images while incorporating realism along with fanta...more
The Waterhole
Summary: From all around the globe, animals come for a cool drink as they experience a drought. As the thirsty animals drink, the hole filled with water begins to disappear.
a) Area for comment: illustrations
Critique:
b) Not only does this book introduce young readers to the numbers 1-10, but the vivid use of illustrations encourages the reader to explore exotic animals around the world. They illustrator used realistic images while incorporating realism along with fanta...more
the Water Hole, Graeme Base (Puffin books, 2001). p.32
picture book:counting.
Summary: This book uses counting animals at watering holes to encourage counting. It also tells a story about diminishing water and rain restoring the watering hole.
a) authenticity
b) I liked using animals to encourage children to count and I liked the back ground of using different animals from different habitats. I had a problem with the panda page and the ending pages giving children false ideas and information. Childr...more
picture book:counting.
Summary: This book uses counting animals at watering holes to encourage counting. It also tells a story about diminishing water and rain restoring the watering hole.
a) authenticity
b) I liked using animals to encourage children to count and I liked the back ground of using different animals from different habitats. I had a problem with the panda page and the ending pages giving children false ideas and information. Childr...more
1. This book belongs to the counting picturebook genre.
2. Animals come to a water hole to drink, but soon the water supply dwindles until, finally, it is non-existent.
3. The area for critique is content.
The content of this book is rich. It includes so many aspects of science, math, English, and art.
Throughout the book there are animals that come to a water hole to drink. Counting up to ten, there are ten different areas and ecosystems represented. They include: 1. Africa 2. India 3. South Am...more
2. Animals come to a water hole to drink, but soon the water supply dwindles until, finally, it is non-existent.
3. The area for critique is content.
The content of this book is rich. It includes so many aspects of science, math, English, and art.
Throughout the book there are animals that come to a water hole to drink. Counting up to ten, there are ten different areas and ecosystems represented. They include: 1. Africa 2. India 3. South Am...more
1.) Genre- Counting Picturebook
2.) Summary- Using detailed drawings of animals from around the globe, this book counts from 1 to 10. Readers participate in both basic counting and a story about a water hole that shrinks as each group of animals take their fill.
3.)a.) Area of focus-Plot
b.) Base has created more than just your standard counting book. The Water Hole, in addition to covering the numbers 1 through 10 with bright and colorful illustrations, tells an important story about the cycle of...more
2.) Summary- Using detailed drawings of animals from around the globe, this book counts from 1 to 10. Readers participate in both basic counting and a story about a water hole that shrinks as each group of animals take their fill.
3.)a.) Area of focus-Plot
b.) Base has created more than just your standard counting book. The Water Hole, in addition to covering the numbers 1 through 10 with bright and colorful illustrations, tells an important story about the cycle of...more
Genre: Counting Picture Book
Summary: By counting the numbers 1-10 we see animals from various continents experience a lack of drinking water due to draught.
A) Area of Focus: Realistic/ Accurate Illustrations
B)The author/ Illustrator does an excellent job of creating realistic illustrations to go along with each number. The group of animals on each page is indicative of a different continent. This book does a great job of exposing younger students to animals from other continents that they may no...more
Summary: By counting the numbers 1-10 we see animals from various continents experience a lack of drinking water due to draught.
A) Area of Focus: Realistic/ Accurate Illustrations
B)The author/ Illustrator does an excellent job of creating realistic illustrations to go along with each number. The group of animals on each page is indicative of a different continent. This book does a great job of exposing younger students to animals from other continents that they may no...more
Citation: The Water Hole, by Graeme Base. (Harry N. Abrams, 2001). 32p. Counting Book.
Summary: Wild animals from around the globe grow in number as the water hole shrinks in size, counting up from one to ten and then jumping to zero in the dry season. Counting animals at the water hole remains the focus, but clever illustration introduce the reader to a great variety of wildlife as well.
Critique (a.) The illustrations take this from a simple counting concept book to a rich experience in number c...more
Summary: Wild animals from around the globe grow in number as the water hole shrinks in size, counting up from one to ten and then jumping to zero in the dry season. Counting animals at the water hole remains the focus, but clever illustration introduce the reader to a great variety of wildlife as well.
Critique (a.) The illustrations take this from a simple counting concept book to a rich experience in number c...more
The Water Hole
1-Genre: Counting
2-This story incorporates counting while depicting various watering holes all over the world. Each watering hole has its own special animals that visit.
3-(a) This book does an excellent job of detail in its illustrations.
(b) With each turn of the page the reader is put into another distant habitat. The illustrator allows the reader to travel through habitats such as Africa, India, China, Europe, etc. The illustrator has such great detail each illustration that i...more
1-Genre: Counting
2-This story incorporates counting while depicting various watering holes all over the world. Each watering hole has its own special animals that visit.
3-(a) This book does an excellent job of detail in its illustrations.
(b) With each turn of the page the reader is put into another distant habitat. The illustrator allows the reader to travel through habitats such as Africa, India, China, Europe, etc. The illustrator has such great detail each illustration that i...more
Category: The Water Hole is a picture book in the counting category.
Summary: This picture book has beautiful illustrations depicting all the continents. It illustrates the effect that draught has on animals, as their water hole continues to sink.
Critique:
A. I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book. Through the illustrative style, comes the true strength of this story. On each page, certain animals are depicted but the forest surrounding them has very subtle images of other animals found...more
This is an amazing animal/counting book. This book could also count as an engineered book because there is a hole cut out on each page showing the size of the watering hole. It shows how the watering hole slowly over the turns of the page gets smaller and smaller. On each two page spread there is a number and how many animals are drinking at the watering hole. It also says what the animal might be thinking. On each two page spread it has a magnificently painted picture of the animals that are at...more
Author / Illustrator: Graeme Base
First Published: 2001
First Published: 2001
The Waterhole was inspired by a four-week sightseeing safari through Kenya and Tanzania. I had in mind a simple story about the cycle of seasons on the African plains, but the idea gradually expanded to embrace other countries and their wildlife, in the process giving the central image of the waterhole a certain metaphorical significance - and, of course, providing me with the perfect excuse to draw lots of animals from other parts of the wor...more
1. Genre: Counting Book
2. Summary: As animals take turns drinking from a water hole located in the forest, the water begins to diminish. The book begins with one rhino drinking from the water hole. The number of animals increase as readers are introduced to a different kind each page.
3. Critique:
(a) Style of writing
(b) The author’s word choices make this award winning book fun and one of a kind. The writing style reflects the language of each animal that finds their way to the water hole.
(c)...more
2. Summary: As animals take turns drinking from a water hole located in the forest, the water begins to diminish. The book begins with one rhino drinking from the water hole. The number of animals increase as readers are introduced to a different kind each page.
3. Critique:
(a) Style of writing
(b) The author’s word choices make this award winning book fun and one of a kind. The writing style reflects the language of each animal that finds their way to the water hole.
(c)...more
1. Genre: Counting Picture Book
2. Summary: The book counts from one to ten using a variety of animals drinking at a water hole, but as the animals increase the size of the water hole decreases in part to a drought. When the rain comes, all of the animals come back to the land and water.
3. a) Illustrations
b) The illustrations are very descriptive and detailed from each one of the animals on the page to the animals that are hidden in the background. The illustrations are very unique and intricat...more
2. Summary: The book counts from one to ten using a variety of animals drinking at a water hole, but as the animals increase the size of the water hole decreases in part to a drought. When the rain comes, all of the animals come back to the land and water.
3. a) Illustrations
b) The illustrations are very descriptive and detailed from each one of the animals on the page to the animals that are hidden in the background. The illustrations are very unique and intricat...more
Mar 16, 2013
Abby
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-school,
childrens-illustrated
This is one of the more fun counting books I've seen. Graeme Base gives images full of things to look at and hidden images to find. Along with the numbers one through ten, the book also shows what animals live in various parts of the world, and gives a good message about conservation. There's a lot to this book besides the simple numbers, and I loved looking at it. Kids will love exploring these pages.
This is a good example of how incredible detail can be used to great effect. These pages are cl...more
This is a good example of how incredible detail can be used to great effect. These pages are cl...more
4.5
This was an almost perfect picture book to me.
It seems that all counting books by Mr. Base must convey an environmental message. The watering hole itself shrinking was a bit unclear to me - I thought it was seasonal but really it just was. You sort of have to suspend disbelief.
The art was fantastic, and the integration of other animals (identified in the borders) on each page was awesome. It's a stretch to call this a "puzzle book," like the description, but it's a well-thought out and exec...more
This was an almost perfect picture book to me.
It seems that all counting books by Mr. Base must convey an environmental message. The watering hole itself shrinking was a bit unclear to me - I thought it was seasonal but really it just was. You sort of have to suspend disbelief.
The art was fantastic, and the integration of other animals (identified in the borders) on each page was awesome. It's a stretch to call this a "puzzle book," like the description, but it's a well-thought out and exec...more
"The Water Hole" is a beautiful book about animals around the world sharing and drinking from the same water hole. As each page is turned, readers get to visit a different country and explore its environment. The pages count up to ten all while showing the year's transformation from season to season. The book also incorporates onomatopoeia and rhyming, "Seven pandas sipping at the water hole. Tsk tsk tsk. After you. No, no- I insist." I would probably use this book in a pre-k or kindergarten cla...more
I've read two versions of this book - the board book and the normal picture book.
Firstly the normal picture book (4 Stars) - Fanastic illustrations including hidden elements expand the simple counting book into something special.
The board book (3 Stars). This is a much simplified version of the picture book targeted at the very young - with none of the story, but with the full illustrations. The complex illustrations, which sets this book apart for an older audience, just confuse the issue for t...more
Firstly the normal picture book (4 Stars) - Fanastic illustrations including hidden elements expand the simple counting book into something special.
The board book (3 Stars). This is a much simplified version of the picture book targeted at the very young - with none of the story, but with the full illustrations. The complex illustrations, which sets this book apart for an older audience, just confuse the issue for t...more
Here, author and illustrator Base has combined the gimmick book (a water hole is cut out of each page, growing smaller as each animal drinks from it), with the counting book (each page displays a larger number of animals), with the informative travelogue (each page appears somewhere new in the world with animals from that region), with the hidden surprise book (you can see tons of different animals hidden in each scene). It's as if Base sat down one day to draw the impossible and did so with a m...more
The Water Hole by: Graeme Base (2001) -Counting Books
The Water Hole is a trip through the world while teaching children to count to 10. It also shows the importance of water on the natural world. In the beginning the water is prevelant but as the animals drink the water starts to deplete. When the water runs out the animals go away. Then a ran storm comes and replenishes the supply so the animals can return.
Themes: Ecology, Counting, Water Preservation
Teaching Options: This book can obviously be...more
The Water Hole is a trip through the world while teaching children to count to 10. It also shows the importance of water on the natural world. In the beginning the water is prevelant but as the animals drink the water starts to deplete. When the water runs out the animals go away. Then a ran storm comes and replenishes the supply so the animals can return.
Themes: Ecology, Counting, Water Preservation
Teaching Options: This book can obviously be...more
Dec 10, 2012
Kim Barth
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
early-childhood-fiction,
bibliography
This book is a counting book, but it also shows many different regions around the world and the animals that live there. The watering hole that the animals drink from grows smaller and smaller, until finally the rain comes to replenish it. The illustrations are very colorful and somewhat three-dimensional (a section of the page is removed with each turning, making the watering hole smaller and smaller and revealing new animals). This book would help students learn not only about counting, but al...more
Graeme Base illustrates animals that are so real they seem to be alive on the page. Love his work and this book follows suit.
The Water Hole is for the most part, a counting book. 1 rhino visits the water hole, then 2 tigers, and so forth until all the jungle animals from all over world have consumed all the water...but the story doesn't end there. The counting theme ends and Base focuses on the jungle's cycle of drought and flood. You could easily tie this book into a science unit or lesson on s...more
The Water Hole is for the most part, a counting book. 1 rhino visits the water hole, then 2 tigers, and so forth until all the jungle animals from all over world have consumed all the water...but the story doesn't end there. The counting theme ends and Base focuses on the jungle's cycle of drought and flood. You could easily tie this book into a science unit or lesson on s...more
Dec 10, 2008
Kathryn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kathryn by:
Chandra (thanks!)
Shelves:
nature-animals
Nice way to introduce young ones to the rainy-season/dry-season aspect of nature and also to emphasize the importance of water (my husband works with water resources and this is really one of the areas of our environment that is underappreciated! We are facing a major water crisis in the future if something doesn't happen to fix it!) Children will enjoy the little cut-out "watering hole" on each page, getting smaller and smaller as you flip the pages. The animal illustrations are realistic and i...more
3 likes · like · see review
Even as a "grown-up" (pretending to be one, at least) I had a lot of fun with the lush, gorgeous illustrations and finding the many "hidden" animals on each page. Most of the animals were drawn realistically, but the addition of frogs in pearls and swimming costumes just cracked me up! And yes, I agree with the other reviews that this is so much more than a counting book. It takes you away to distant parts of the globe, reminding us how clean, fresh, and plentiful water is crucial to life on thi...more
This counting book is wonderfully illustrated and captures the intrest of children and adults. As you read the book the number of animals gets larger and the water hole they are drinking from gets smaller until it is gone. Finally the rain comes and fills the water hole back up and the animals return. This book can be used in so many different ways. It can be used as a counting book, you could focus on the animals, renewable resources, children can make predictions, and enjoy the beautiful illus...more
What I like most about this story is the end where you come to find out that all the animals come from different places around the world. It really shows you how we are all living on this Earth and we all need to take care of it.
My view on Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer...more
My view on Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer...more
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Graeme Rowland Base is a successful Australian author and artist of picture books that have been sold internationally. He is perhaps best known for his second book, Animalia published in 1986, and third book The Eleventh Hour which was released in 1989.
He was born in England but moved to Australia with his family at the age of eight and has lived there ever since. He attended Box Hill High School...more
More about Graeme Base...
He was born in England but moved to Australia with his family at the age of eight and has lived there ever since. He attended Box Hill High School...more
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