Hamsters »

Describes the physical characteristics and habits of hamsters and how to care for them as pets.

Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature

This entry in the "Wild Wild World" series contains an animal overview, interesting facts subcategorized by headings of double-page spreads (e.g., "Hamster Bodies," "Grooming," Growing Up," and "Wonderful Pets") and numerous close-ups arranged artistically or sequentially to illustrate a concept. Photographs lack captions and surround and face the short paragraphs of text that appear on each page. For instance, a page about hamster bodies reveals length, color variety, and other characteristics, while the pictures of the same pair of hamsters are featured in all five pictures. While a child does not to have to read much text or go far to discover what the photographs portray, by not using captions the series misses the chance to educate children as to how to "read" the photos more deeply or to confirm what they think is being pictured. Photographs of newborn hamsters benefit from a human hand for size scale and the only captioned photo ("A hamster mother carries her pup in her mouth.") helps dispel reader anxiety over what is happening to this poor pink critter. The slight, three-word glossary and lack of an index make this an additional purchase for most libraries. It is a book that families could read as an introduction to the topic. 2003, Blackbirch Press/Gale Group, Ages 7 to 11.