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Animal Ark Pets (UK Order) #4
Hamster Hotel
When Frisky's cage is accidentally picked up with other articles for a rummage sale, the hamster gets locked up in the cold, dark town hall. It's up to animal experts Mandy and James to rescue him.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Ben M. Baglio
216 books156 followersBen M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.
Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.
Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 18, 2019
So very cute with many good tips of caring for a hamster wrapped inside a very cure story. Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute!
September 3, 2024
This is a review of the UK edition published by Hodder and credited to the fake author name of Lucy Daniels. In America, Scholastic published the Animal Ark Pets series under the fake author name of Ben Baglio. The real author was Sue Welford. At least the illustrator's name wasn't hard to figure out -- Paul Howard.
Most of the Animal Ark Pets books blur together in my mind, and this is one of them. The plot is similar to Cub In the Cuboard, one of the Animal Ark books, but not as sinister. This one is a more relaxing read.
It was nice that the feature animal this time, Frisky, is a Russian dwarf hamster. They are hard to find in fiction. Usually, if a hamster appears in fiction, it's a Syrian or golden, such as Stephanie Plum's hamster in the best-selling definitely-not-for-kids mystery series. There was some nice information about caring for hamsters, but not much, since the jumble sale plot takes over.
At the beginning of the book, there were two nice, subtle messages about preventative health care for cats -- getting them their jabs, and spaying. There is a much less subtle, but entertaining, message about keeping your pets indoors if you know people are going to set off fireworks that night.
This is another book that really benefits if you read Puppy Puzzle first, just so you are familiar with the main characters, and learn a bit about Blackie.
Most of the Animal Ark Pets books blur together in my mind, and this is one of them. The plot is similar to Cub In the Cuboard, one of the Animal Ark books, but not as sinister. This one is a more relaxing read.
It was nice that the feature animal this time, Frisky, is a Russian dwarf hamster. They are hard to find in fiction. Usually, if a hamster appears in fiction, it's a Syrian or golden, such as Stephanie Plum's hamster in the best-selling definitely-not-for-kids mystery series. There was some nice information about caring for hamsters, but not much, since the jumble sale plot takes over.
At the beginning of the book, there were two nice, subtle messages about preventative health care for cats -- getting them their jabs, and spaying. There is a much less subtle, but entertaining, message about keeping your pets indoors if you know people are going to set off fireworks that night.
This is another book that really benefits if you read Puppy Puzzle first, just so you are familiar with the main characters, and learn a bit about Blackie.
March 10, 2020
This is a cute little book that talks about the responsibility of owning a pet. I think that it shows a great example and allows people to see the outcome before actually getting a pet themselves.
June 23, 2020
Read for our family summer reading program. Ellie's pick...krb 6/22/20
Oh she would be so happy if she could have a hamster!!!!
Oh she would be so happy if she could have a hamster!!!!
July 24, 2020
Mandy's grandparents are looking after a friends hamster but they nothing about caring for it. Mandy and James have both promised to help them care for Frisky but when he goes missing even Mandy is at a loss on how to find him. I really liked the hamster's name, he's so cute.
- review written by my 9 year old
- review written by my 9 year old
October 25, 2015
Lucy writes as if still captured by her childhood, which leaves an adult reader wondering if perhaps, Lucy writes based on memoirs.
Our main character is a true animal lover and whilst you wouldn't imagine that 100 (albeit large print) pages could be penned about a hamster, it turns out that it is possible. There is even a tiny side story to solidify the characters passion for animal welfare.
If you read these as a child but are fearful of ruining your memory of the books by reading in adulthood, step over the fear and give them a crack. Their almost as enjoyable. For any child who loves animals, these are a must. Each text features a different animal so it never gets boring. No adult themes are visited though readers may need to have it explained what a 'tape' is or even a 'CD' as these were written before iTunes and DVDs.
Our main character is a true animal lover and whilst you wouldn't imagine that 100 (albeit large print) pages could be penned about a hamster, it turns out that it is possible. There is even a tiny side story to solidify the characters passion for animal welfare.
If you read these as a child but are fearful of ruining your memory of the books by reading in adulthood, step over the fear and give them a crack. Their almost as enjoyable. For any child who loves animals, these are a must. Each text features a different animal so it never gets boring. No adult themes are visited though readers may need to have it explained what a 'tape' is or even a 'CD' as these were written before iTunes and DVDs.
September 14, 2009
What i like about the book is that it is about a hamster that is on vacation.I reallylike the girl because she is really smart she knows alot about animal. Her friend is one year younger then her. The hamster is small and cute. He was black and grey. He wasa russin hamster. it reminds me about my friends hamster. What questions I have is why it is called hamster hotel? Is he really haveing a vacation? How long is the vacation? is the hamster going to learn to do thricks? How long does a hamster sleep? is it a girl or a boy?
May 31, 2011
on Mandy's summer vacation Mandy went to her grandparents house while they where looking after a hamster and Mandy called it hamster hotel.one day the hamster disapeared they found him at a sale
Auryn 7yo
Auryn 7yo
August 17, 2009
i have read most of the animal ark pets but again i didnt feel like putting them all down
February 28, 2011
I named my hamster Frisky too. But not after him, I named Frisky b/c my little boy was so energetic.
January 9, 2013
I have a hamster that looks just like this one and I named mine Juiliet and she is 2 years old and I love her I got her at petco she is the best
December 10, 2015
I don't know how many of this kind of read-aloud I can make it through, but Eric loved this & is now entirely convinced he needs a hamster for Christmas.
June 9, 2011
it was cute and funny.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews