Hot Rod Hamster

At noon at Four Paws Speedway, there will be a hot rod race. Gruff dogs in large, flame-painted cars will compete for first prize. Joining them on the finish line will be a racer who, despite his tiny size, stands out among the others. It is this little hamster’s dream to win the race. However, if he is going to stand a chance against his competitors, he will need to build a hot rod that is faster than all of his competitors. The morning of the race, Hamster visits his friend Dog, who lives in a junkyard full of car parts. With Hamster’s customization and Dog’s mechanical skills, the two build a hot rod capable of winning the race.  

Hot Rod Hamster presents young readers with a fun and light-hearted story that shows the importance of following your passion. Hamster’s competitors say he is too small to win the race. Despite this, with the support of his friends, Hamster listens to his heart and takes a risk that pays off. While the story is enjoyable on its own, it is Lord’s narration that makes the book truly unique. A former elementary school teacher, Lord employs a rhyming scheme that makes the process of reading fun for young readers. With each car part Hamster chooses, Lord asks the reader which choice they would make. For example, when Hamster decides on the model of his hot rod, Lord narrates, “Old car, new car, shiny painted blue car, rust car, clean car, itty-bitty green car. Which would you choose?” This allows the reader to feel like an active part of the book. Along with this, each page contains only one to five simple sentences. 

Derek Anderson, a prolific illustrator of children’s books, draws the pictures. If Hamster’s unwavering passion and determination are not enough to attach readers to the character, they are sure to be won over by Anderson’s cute and fluffy portrayal of the book’s protagonist. Anderson’s effort and attention to detail are apparent on each page. For example, Dog’s junkyard is filled with shiny engines, rusty cars, and cracked windshields, while each car in the climactic race is painted with vivid and eye-catching colors. 

Hot Rod Hamster is an entertaining book that moves along at a fittingly quick pace. If you are looking for a quick and charming story that your young reader will have fun reading, Hot Rod Hamster will not disappoint. Young readers who love trucks can meet more loveable trucks by reading Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Go, Go, Trucks! by Jennifer Liberts. 

 Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• None