Base, Graeme (1958-…), is a popular Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books . Base gained international fame for his highly detailed and often humorous illustrations intended to challenge the reader’s powers of observation. Base is best known for Animalia (1986), an alphabet book that also includes hundreds of objects, such as foods, plants, and musical instruments.
Base followed Animalia with The Eleventh Hour (1989), a mystery story filled with clues and puzzles in the illustrations. The Sign of the Seahorse (1992) is an undersea adventure story written in verse. The Discovery of Dragons (1996) is a comical account of three fictional dragon hunters who lived in the 800’s, 1200’s, and 1800’s. Base created a sequel, The Discovery of Dragons: New Research Revealed (2007).
Base played keyboard in a band that inspired The Worst Band in the Universe (1999), about alien musicians who compete for the title of the worst band in the universe. The Water Hole (2001) features animals that gather at water holes throughout the world. Jungle Drums (2004) focuses on the animals of Africa.
Uno’s Garden (2006) centers on how we can unintentionally damage the environment. Enigma (2008) is a mystery with animal magicians and young Bertie Badger as the detective. The Legend of the Golden Snail (2010) tells about a boy who sets out to free a golden snail, turning it into a sailing ship with a magic spell. The Jewel Fish of Karnak (2011) is set in ancient Egypt and describes the search for a jewelfish, a beautiful, small freshwater fish of Africa. Little Elephants (2012) takes place on a farm in rural Texas where a little boy discovers tiny flying elephants living under his bed. Base created striking illustrations of the famous temple ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia for his tale The Last King of Angkor Wat (2014).
Graeme Rowland Base was born on April 6, 1958, in Amersham, England. He moved with his family to Australia when he was eight years old. Base studied graphic design at the Swinburne Institute of Technology (now the Swinburne University of Technology) in Melbourne, graduating in 1978. He then worked in advertising while also doing book illustrations before becoming a full-time writer.
