Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Hamster Cheeks

Author: Cathy DeLittle

Illustrator: Adam Milicevic

ISBN: 13: 978-1-892633-14-9:  10: 1-892733-14-0

Although it has taken ten years since she last published 10 picture books over a span of 2 years, Cathy DeLittle has done it again with her recent, Hamster Cheeks.

DeLittle has fine-tuned a story that emanates from her vivid imagination and humorous insights that have been inspired from the antics of her young son Dominic.

Turning the pages of this sure-fire prize contender, I immediately became aware of the close cooperation of love between the author and the illustrator, Adam Milicevic that effectively transports the reader into the story’s theme.

Hamster Cheeks’ concise text combined with creative and vivid images focuses on what hamsters store in their cheeks.

Although, it is expected that this little creature accumulate only the seeds and nuts they gather, occasionally they are insatiable and overindulge in stuffing their cheeks with all kinds of goodies as cakes, cookies, cotton candy, and bubble gum.  It is the bubble gum that really gets hamsters into all kinds of trouble particularly when it sticks to its fur, thus making it very difficult to remove.

As in the case of humans, there is a price to be paid for any excessive pleasure in eating unhealthy treats. In the end the hamster is punished and is obliged to go to hamster school where it is required to write several times on the blackboard “I will not stuff my cheeks” for hamster cheeks must not store any other food than hamster food.

Hamster Cheeks is a fun read and a wonderful addition to DeLittle’s collection. It will surely appeal to the 2-9 year olds with its simple but yet timeless message it conveys pertaining to the importance of good eating habits. Additionally, Delittle keeps the story light- hearted, effectively integrating Milicevic’s two-page spreads that seem to drift behind the printed word and broaden the visual appeal. In the end, both the written text and images compliment the appealing tone of the story that shies away from verse as it is narrated in articulate and unpretentious prose that perfectly lends itself to reading aloud.

This is one well –written and top-quality picture book I highly recommend for both parents and teachers who wish to help children understand the importance of good nutrition in an age where it seems junk food seems to frequently reign supreme.

The above review was contributed by the  Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

To read Norm's Interview with Cathy Click Here