MY HUMONGOUS HAMSTER GOES TO SCHOOL

“Bring your pet to school” day isn’t exciting enough for one young hamster owner with a big imagination…or did he imagine it?

With its perch next to a bench lined with lunches and goodies, the hamster just can’t handle the temptation; he gets out of his cage and proceeds to eat everything and then grow to huge proportions. The stern teacher “tells my hamster to sit down and behave.” The (clumsily) photo-collaged artwork shows the back of a hamster who doesn’t even fit on the page, a broken chair underneath him, and the kids around him (sitting in the same type of chair but with no desks visible) smiling. Next it’s time for music and dance class. Strangely, only girls are in this class, all dressed in pink leotards, tutus, and ballet slippers, and the hamster sports a tutu as well. He visits familiar places throughout the school until he has a meltdown. A hug from the class sets him to rights, emotionally and physically. While young readers may enjoy the sight of a giant hamster juxtaposed with the tiny kids and typical school settings, they won’t learn much about school from this young boy and his hamster, who doesn’t follow any rules or stick to the class’ schedule.

Visit Mulberry Street instead of this sequel (My Humongous Hamster, 2014).