What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I remember one illustration had books on a shelf and there were clues hidden in between them? I believe the pictures were very detailed.
I would have read this book approx 25 years ago so maybe 1993 or around there. It’s not Masquerade or Animalia.
Thanks for any help!

Could it be something else by Graeme Base, maybe The Eleventh Hour? I believe there is at least one picture in a library in that and the date is right.

Hi Adele, thanks for the suggestion. I should have mentioned it’s not The Eleventh Hour though it is similar. I feel like this book was less fantasy-ish (if that makes sense)?

Duplicate thread deleted; please only one thread per book, otherwise it gets very confusing.

Yes thank you, it was done by accident

Tessa, is the reader trying to solve a specific mystery or hunt for a specific item? Can you tell us more about the theme? Does it take place inside a large mansion/library/building? Examples of clues found?

Hi Kris, thanks for your questions. I honestly can’t remember a lot so I’m just going off my gut, which could be wrong! I think they were trying to solve a mystery but I couldn’t say what that was or what the theme was. I feel like it was either set in a building or a city. I don’t remember any of the clues, unfortunately. The image I get clearest is in a library (or book store?). The only other image I recall is large letters (as in capital letters) that make up a landscape of some sort. However it’s been so long that I may be confusing that with another story!

Is this a picture book (about 32-48 pages) or a chapter book with mostly words?

Can you describe the illustrations - realistic/cartoony/cute, simple/detailed, painted watercolors/bold graphics, sunny/dark/muted colors/black & white? Do they remind you of another illustrator or picture book author?

Hi Kris, I’m pretty certain it was a picture book. The pictures were quite detailed as far as I can recall- kind of like pencil drawings but with colour- quite fine and particular. I will try and find something similar to give you an idea :)

The Fan Brothers’ illustrations are quite similar from what I can recall- http://www.thefanbrothers.com/#/ocean...

How to Live Forever (1995) by Colin Thompson? A boy is looking for a book called "How to Live Forever", and ventures through a library of giant books. I think the moral is be careful what you wish for (re: immortality).

Oh wow, I think that’s it! I have been searching for this book for 20 years! I honestly can’t believe it. Thank you so so much Kris. Can I ask how you figured it out? Did you know of this book already or did you do some searching?

Great. Glad we could help, Tessa. I had that picture book a number of years ago, but it didn't come to mind until Adele suggested Graeme Base - and his detailed illustrations reminded me of How to Live Forever. I forgot the boy was looking for something; only the giant books stuck in my mind. So thanks to Adele!