Glamsters

by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, Jackie Urbanovic (Illustrator)

Harriet the hamster has a problem. All around her at Hamster World, hamsters are being adopted, while she and her sister can’t even seem to get noticed.

Then one day, she finds the answer. She will go from hamster to glamster! with a fabulous hamster makeover. With a little bit of carrot seed oil, whisker extensions, and a two-tone claw polish, all her dreams will come true…or will they?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2008

Reviews

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny book about little hamsters in a store. One of them wants to be adopted very badly, and decides she probably needs a makeover in order to attract someone to adopt her and her sister. The make over doesn't quite make her the glamster she was imagining herself to be.

[Courtney Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was in the children's section, but it is a bit long to hold a toddler's attention for that long. The book is enjoyable; Harriet and Patricia are sister hamsters waiting to be chosen for a home. Harriet is so worried about being chosen that she transforms herself into a "glamster," but actually looks ridiculous. Patricia is a nice sister and cleans her up, and they get chosen together at the end of the story. I like the message it sends: patience is key, and it is always important to be yourself. There is no greater side than "you."

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was in the Easy book section, but for a toddler it could be a bit lengthy. It was a cute story, just a little too long to keep most kids attention. It was a little sad when the hamster thought she was never going to get picked (or her sister). I wish the ending would have had some sort of resolution like you see them getting taken home or something. All we got was a girl staring through the cage and potentially being interested in one or both of them.

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book if you want to think about what hamsters maybe think before they get picked to go home. It was a little winded, but overall the story was fun. The idea that a hamster needs to look it's best to get picked is probably true, so it felt realistic.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.

Cute message, I guess, about not trying to be someone you aren't, but... the rest of this story failed to hook me. That's all I have to say about that.

[Kyrstin Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly but overall good message!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about hamsters getting adopted, and just being themselves to do so.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about being yourself and being accepted.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to Claudia but found it too long for a baby or even a toddler, perhaps. Two hamsters, Harriet and Patricia, are stuck in a pet store waiting for someone to take them home. Harriet is tired of waiting and decides to give herself a makeover so she will be more attractive to a potential owner. She adds volumizer to her fur, makes a hat, and puts on whisker extensions. Very humorous. Her sister Patricia awakens to find her silly sister all glammed up. She convinces Harriet that she if fine just the way she is and throws her into the water bowl to rinse off the volumizer. Harriet sees the light and at the end we see a girl looking into their cage wanting to adopt them--just as they are. Sweet story about being yourself. I will have to get this one for Claudie when she is a bit older. Great illustrations--very colorful and fun.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book about two hamster sisters waiting in a pet shop for someone to adopt them. On the eve of the big sale, Harriet can't sleep and finds herself reading about making oneself over in order to get noticed. She takes a quiz and then works to turn herself into a Glamster. When her sister wakes up she doesn't recognize Harriet right away! But convinces her that Harriet really doesn't need all that stuff to be adoptable - she just needs to be herself.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful story about being yourself. Harriet reads a magazing article and tries to make herself glamorous so she will be chosen by a child and get a home. Her sister Patrice helps her see how unneccessary and silly that is. Our culture makes whole industries out of convincing us we have to be "glamorous." This story helps counteract that influence while children are still young.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet decides to be a glamster to help her get adopted at the annual Hamster World sale. Luckily, her sister, Patricia, helps her to see someone will want her for her.

Great message. Cute illustrations. Fantastic story for children with a connection to adoption, pet adoption, or an interest in hamsters.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

moral of the story: be yourself, even if you are a hamster desparate to be purchased. steve read it to the girls and they liked it...glad he read it, i would've stumbled through with a bad attitude. not a fan of the message books for children.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely too long for a toddler, but teaches a very good lesson about being yourself. It also shows that everything you read in a magazine to "be a better you" isn't always true. They ended up being chosen for just who they are. I enjoyed this story.

[Tina B · Rating 4 out of 5]

"hamsters, dressing inappropriately, style guides, magazine quizzes"

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had no redeeming features. The story was boring, and the illustrations were worse. Most of all, it didn't make much sense.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations! The story is so sweet about being yourself and accepting yourself. Another book that will make you smile inside.

[Hollee Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for read aloud! My mentor teacher had this in her classroom. She also had a hamster as a class pet. I think that would be a fun world connection.

[Seth Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a funny book for kids, especially little girls as it explores self-image; but needed a little more resolution at the end.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story with the good old moral to "just be yourself!"