Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Hamster and Cheese
Illustrator: Stephanie Yue
Graphic Novel Series
For ages 6 to 8
Lerner, 2010 ISBN: 978-0761345985
There is a mystery in "Mr. Venezi’s Pets and Stuff" shop. Someone is stealing the provolone sandwiches that Mr. Venezi brings to work every day, and he thinks that the hamsters are to blame. If the real thief is not found, and soon, Mr. Venezi is going to send all the hamsters away.
Desperate to save himself and his cage mates, one of the hamsters goes to the guinea pig cage. The letter G has fallen off the label on the cage so the hamster has come to consult with the “GUINEA PI.” Though the resident guinea pig, Sasspants, insists that he is not a P.I. (a private investigator), the hamster refuses to take no for an answer. The only way Sasspants is going to be able to get rid of the annoying hamster is if he solves the mystery himself.
This is a very amusing first title in what promises to be a wonderfully engaging series. Children who prefer stories that are rich in graphics will be delighted by the comic strip style format in the book.
