A lovely wee package, with perfectly-pitched allegory, featuring some beautiful friendships.
Travels of an Extraordinary Hamster
Hamster is determined to visit his cousins on the moon. He knows they must be eager to meet him. But his friends decide to go to the North Pole instead.
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Description
Travels of an Extraordinary Hamster is a funny full-colour early chapter book told entirely in pictures and speech bubbles. Full of quirks, humour and ideas to discuss.
Hamster lives in the clearing among his friends Mole, Snail, Hedgehog, and Rabbit. They are very accepting of Hamster, who is unapologetically selfish but somehow endearing.
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Book Details
Country of Origin France Reader Age 6-8 year, 8-12 year Book Size ISBN
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Reviews
Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.
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Booklist (US), September 2015 –
The salty and sweet balance each other . Readers will soon be caught up in the awkward, cheerful, pompous world of Hamster and his buddies.
Irish Times (UK), July 2015 –
An excellent bridge between the picture book and a first novel. The relationship between the curmudgeonly ‘extraordinary’ hero – if that, indeed, is what he is – and his fellow creatures is played out with a delightful sense of irony and whimsicality.
French Picture Books in English (Australia), July 2015 –
A sophisticated delight, as accessible to beginning readers as it is rewarding to the most able, adults included.
Booksellers (NZ), June 2015 –
A lovely wee package, with perfectly-pitched allegory, featuring some beautiful friendships. It would suit children aged 6 and over, who are old enough not to take the tales in the book too literally.
The Source (NZ), June 2015 –
This book is ideal for children with a dry sense of humour or as a gift for adults with an over-developed sense of self-importance.
Publishers Weekly (US), June 2015 –
Sweet-tempered line drawings soften Hamster’s barbs, and the story’s other subplots give pleasure, too.
Kirkus Reviews (US), June 2015 –
A blunt, at times knee-slapping story suitable for perceptive young readers, those unsure of social cues, and global readers alike.
Weekend Herald (NZ), May 2015 –
This selfish, greedy, vainglorious Hamster is so bad he is good-and it is great to see him back … My kids love his errant ways as he treats his friends like Rabbit, Snail and Mole in a terrible fashion, blissfully unaware of his failings. Told with speech bubbles and colourful, quirky illustrations, this collection of short tales runs to more than 120 pages and is a delight.
Book Trailers 4 kids (NZ), May 2015 –
The chapters are told completely using speech bubbles, much like a graphic novel or comic but not as busy and very easy to read and follow. … This is a great first chapter book for younger readers. Even adults will love the humour and irony.
Salient (NZ), May 2015 –
One of the first kid’s books to make me genuinely laugh out loud. It swings from sincere sweet moments, to quirky jokes, at a rather surprising and incredibly enjoyable pace.
Reading Time (NZ), May 2015 –
A delightfully subtle take on the issue of egotism … Quiet philosophical reflection is at the heart of this charming book. Recommended.
Bookrapt (NZ), May 2015 –
Hamster is indeed an extraordinary character in the sense that he is astoundingly self-absorbed. He sees the world from the viewpoint of his own needs and aspirations. … Fortunately for him, Hamster has an understanding group of friends who are used to his egocentric ways and love him regardless – even when he is unkind.