Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster by Astrid Desbordes

Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster, written by Astrid Desbordes, illustrated by Pauline Martin, 2010, New York: Enchanted Lion Books (978-1-59270-093-6)

Awards: ABC Best Books For Children, Junior Library Guild Selection
Author Website: N/A
Illustrator Website: N/A
Media Used: full color

Annotation:

Presented in a journal format, this book follows the Hamster and his close friends. These animals have many thoughts, ranging from what lunar hamsters eat, to what it is like to travel at the pace of a snail.

Personal Reaction:
This is one of the best picture books I have read for a while.  The humor is very dry and flat, making it so it would be most appropriate for a teenage reader.  If taken at face value, the book is boring and does not have a consistent plot.  When taken for a simple dry humor picture book, this book will leave you in tears of laughter.  The hamster is very self-centered, making for some interesting scenes.  The hedgehog is also an interesting character, as he walks around in a coat made of moss.  When you read this, be open to a non-standard picture book!

Published in 2010/2011

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