Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster

I purchased a set of graphic novels recently that proved to be very popular so I thought I would give this a try. Really happy with this purchase. If you skim through this one, you miss the point. Kids seems to really get engrossed and study the short stories in an effort to understand the characters.We had a great laugh over a moment when each animal shares the word that they find most beautiful. Words shared are Friendship, Loyalty, Adventure, Prudence and Waffle!!Each of these beautiful words are explored throughout the book in a unique and interesting way!

This is a very unusual book that takes a little getting used to. Initially, I wasn't quite sure what I thought because the format is just so different from other children's books. But the illustrations drew me in and the character attitudes and dialogues kept me engaged and entertained. It definitely is a different sort of book, but it is also an interesting one that gets the readers thinking.I would describe the set up as similar to a comic book or strip, with white lines forming boxes that separate the actions. Each vignette lasts only one or two pages, featuring a mix of the animals and their everyday life. A cast of six characters, each of whom bring their own unique personality to the table, are named simply as Hamster, Mole, Snail, Hedgehog, Rabbit and Squirrel. They may have simple forest names, but they are actually very complex animals. Hamster is remarkably egotistical, and unabashedly so. The comments that come out of his mouth are in direct contrast to his small, fuzzy exterior. Mole is sensitive and thoughtful, writing poetry and doing kind favors for his friends. Rabbit is one of those all around good guys, whom others just seem to flock around.I thought some of the funniest bits in the whole book are those of Hamster and his birthday presents. He has a strict list of approved gifts (specific in both type and quantity) and shows absolutely no appreciation whatsoever for those which deviate from list. When presented with an unauthorized offering, he flatly states "Yuck. That smells bad. But thanks anyway."The book's content seems slightly more adult to me, and I was not surprised to read that the author has a background in philosophy. The press release reads "Philosophical, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny ... the author infuses the book with a joyful spirit, while meditating on friendship, selfishness and the power of dreams." You know, they really nailed it.

I am writing this review to respectfully disagree with the reviewer above who says this book would not appeal to kids. I love this book, but it was my 5 year old who picked it out and immediately became obsessed with it. She loves the comic book format (which there isn't much of for her age group) and the illustrations. She also enjoys the humor, like when the characters are thinking of the most beautiful words ("friendship", "loyalty", "adventure", "prudence") and all hamster can come up with is "Waffle!"The characters are each represented by singular wants or circumstances that they cannot change, and it seems even a 5 year old can relate to that. The mole who cannot see and is compelled to write a novel; the prickly hedgehog who dreams of a moss coat; the snail who is continually struggling to keep up the pace of the others; etc. The hamster's fixation on food is funny and understandable, and I think my daughter is beginning to understand that he is self-aggrandizing (though of course she doesn't know that word!). And ultimately the characters are very sweet.She'll obviously understand this book more as she gets older, which is great - now she appreciates it as a cute & funny story, in a few years she'll get it in a different way.It's also been a great occasion to try to show her the other levels of meaning a story can contain, and to introduce new words and concepts, like "novel" (which led to a discussion of non-fiction), loyalty and prudence.Definitely not standard fare, and maybe not the most general in its appeal, but it's my new favorite.

Absolutely amusing. I knew by the illustration on the back cover that this would be pretty funny. Hamster is selfish and egotistical and totally awesome. My favorite little vignettes are where he writes an invitation to Rabbit, star-gazes and realizes that the stars are probably gazing upon him in admiration and where he outright lies to his diary. I'm not sure what to think of Mole's novel about the worm crying tears of joy but whatever. Definitely silly and fun.

The Library Journal says 'falls flat in translation' - well what must have fallen flat was that critic's ear. The tone of this book is so perfect - and what might seem like flat to that poor librarian's ear, to me - and to every kid who's read it here, or had it read to them - is in fact the delightfully droll, witty offbeat voice of a book destined to be a future classic. The book may not be for every kid but it has certainly found a place in my kids' hearts. The Solitary Hamster has lived on the top of the living room table pile - where all the best books are! - for weeks, and it has been interesting to see which kids who come to visit pick it up - I think this is a kind of magic book which calls out to the right readers - some kids flip past it grabbing something else, but without fail the funny, interesting, quirkily brilliant kids find it in the pile - and end up on the corner of the couch lost in the book's charms. One more thing - unlike so much of the junk in book and cartoon form that is available for kids, this book doesn't have to lob jokes at adults over the heads of the kids to keep the grown ups interested - it just is simply delightful for grown ups too. At least for this one.

This a delightful book for children.I haven't decided yet to which child to which I will gift it. I may, however, just keep it for the child within myself.