12th April World Hamster Day

Gerbils and hamsters are classified as exotic rodents and

Gerbils and hamsters are classified as exotic rodents and they are not allowed in Australia because they are a threat to the local ecosystem. That is, if they were to escape into the wild, they may start breeding and threaten native flora and fauna. The only way an Australian child will experience hamsters, is if they are overseas or read about them in a book. I tell the students that they are very similar to guinea pigs which they have experienced as pets.

Picture books:

• Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race  by Kim Hillyard

• Stanley  series by William Bee

• Hamster Heroes  by Peter gently and John Bond

• Ferocious Fluffy  by Erica S. Perl and Henry Cole

• The Great Hamster Getaway  by Lou Carter and Magda Brol

Most of the hamster books in our library are humorous chapter books. Look for:

• Stinky and Jinks series by Dave Lowe (6 books)

• Hampstead the Hamster by Michael Rosen

• Super Turbo series by Lee Kirby

• Return of the Hungry Hamster (Undead Pets series) by Sam Hay

• Lulu and the Hamster in the Night by Hilary McKay

• The World According to Humphrey  series by Betty Birney (12 books)

• Humphrey's Tiny Tales series by Betty Birney (8 books)

• Pigsticks and Harold  series by Alex Milway (4 books)

• The Hamster Rescue (Invincibles series)by Caryl Hart

• The Magic Hamster (Wigglesbottom Primary series) by Pamela Butchart

• Marv and the Humungous Hamster (Marv  series) by Alex Falase-Koya

Still need more? See here.