The Waterhole

Graeme Base (author/illustrations)

Viking, Penguin Books, Australia: 2001

ISBN: 0670889288

Genres: picture book

Issues: conservation, ecology, environment, sharing

‘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!'

These opening lines introduce another remarkable creation by Graeme Base, one that is a great treat for highly visual readers. An apparently simple counting book is in fact an exceptionally clever expression of the natural cycle of wet and dry seasons, and the relationship between animals and the water supply. Watch as the waterhole shrinks, pages of blue-rimmed holes of diminishing size echoing the ripples as animals come to drink. Look for the many lizards, birds and four-legged beasts hidden in the shadows, amongst the leaves and branches, the eyes hanging like berries on the bushes.

The incredibly detailed illustrations, created using watercolour, pencil and gouache will have readers poring over the pages in an effort to find all the hidden creatures. Delicate silhouettes border the top and bottom of each page, each dedicated to the animals of a particular country - Africa, China, Australia and others.

An outstanding picture book that will appeal to all ages, this is a must-have for all bookshelves.