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Reviewed by Constance Stadler for Readers' Favorite
When we meet the Harper family they’re about to go to an amusement park. Once they leave, we meet the stars of the story, Herbie and Holly. These two mischievous pet hamsters can’t wait for the family to leave. Hamster Hijinks begins with the hamsters' excitement that their amusement park will be fun because the entire house is their playground. Dan Wafford begins the adventure with Herbie and Holly enjoying a spin in a hamster-sized sports car. What follows includes a messy refrigerator raid and a teasing encounter with the family dog. After playing dress-up they take a quick dip in a hamster-sized pool. Between swinging on a Venetian blind cord, playing in a perfectly sized doll house, rocking and rolling on oversized instruments, and devising strategic war games with toy soldiers, both decide they have done enough for one day.
This wonderfully illustrated story has important lessons for young readers. The most significant is cultivating respect for animals, especially small ones. Dan Wafford persuasively emphasizes this key element throughout the story. The choice of hamsters is also meaningful as it is a common perception that hamsters do well as ‘starter pets’ which means that lack of care is acceptable. The vibrant personalities of Herbie and Holly underscore that neglect is never acceptable, another strength of Hamster Hijinks. Without attentive and affectionate caretakers, Herbie and Holly would likely not have enjoyed this day of fun and freedom. At the close of Hamster Hijinks, it is clear that cultivating respect for all forms of life should begin when a child is a toddler. This persuasive and highly entertaining tale has a pitch-perfect tone and vibrant believability. When reading along with an adult, a child will appreciate values of exceptional worth.
