Review by Booklist Review
Hamster's friends are all excited about getting to visit Bear's cousin who lives in a land of snow and ice. But Hamster doesn't care. He is only interested in going to see his cousins on the moon, where he knows he will be adored . . . as he should be. If only Snail would hurry up and finish building Hamster's spaceship! Desbordes' second collection of comic strips featuring the high-and-mighty Hamster won't appeal to all readers, but those who can get past Hamster's smug attitude will be able to laugh at his ridiculousness, while also enjoying the sweet nature of the other animals around him. The salty and sweet balance each other in the art as well, as the simply drawn, wide-eyed animals make stuck-up Hamster look even sillier. The strips are not laid out in familiar blocky panels, which at first makes the transitions between them seem abrupt, but the flow smooths out quickly, and readers will soon be caught up in the awkward, cheerful, pompous world of Hamster and his buddies.--Wildsmith, Snow Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this companion to Diary of a Solitary Hamster (Enchanted Lion, 2010), six childlike animal friends-Mole, Bear, Snail, Squirrel, Rabbit, and Hedgehog-share a series of genial adventures. And then there's Hamster, the gang's snarky, narcissistic wise guy. "When I read a book," rhapsodizes Mole, who has just written a novel, "it takes me far from this clearing and at the same time explains my life here. Do you know what I mean?" Hamster rolls his eyes. "Mole's already lost her sight," he says, addressing readers, "and now she's losing her mind." Martin's sweet-tempered line drawings soften Hamster's barbs, and the story's other subplots give pleasure, too. When the group treks north to visit a polar bear, Mole and Hedgehog exchange tender confidences, and adventurous Snail, paddling a small kayak, befriends a whale. More reserved readers may wince at Hamster's relentless thirst for adulation ("Now... my portrait adorns their buildings and monuments, even their dinner plates," he writes after an imagined journey to the moon) while those accustomed to laughing at characters like The Office's Michael Scott may find his monstrous self-love entertaining. Ages 7-up. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Told in a series of short chapters, Travels of an Extraordinary Hamster chronicles the adventures of a self-centered hamster and his oblivious friends. Vignettes often start with Hamster interacting with one of his pals. He usually misreads the situation or considers only his own feelings, a punch line or quip is attempted, and the formula is then repeated for the next chapter. Most jokes don't stick their landing, and the sardonic and snarky humor often comes across as clunky. The book meekly moves forward with a voyage to the Arctic, but the story goes nowhere. Characters remain unchanged, with Hamster learning nothing from his narcissistic observations, never once seeing the error in his ways. The lack of any real conflict makes this a light read but ultimately a pointless one. Martin's folky artwork does add a certain charm but not enough to make the trip worthwhile. VERDICT Far from extraordinary.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Hamstera sarcastic, egocentric, yet still enjoyable protagonisttravels with his band of patient, tolerant timberland friends to the Arctic Circle. In a series of short, amusing vignettes, Hamster, Mole, Hedgehog, Snail, and Rabbit leave their clearing to visit Bear's cousin, Polar Bear. Dialogue and offbeat humor move the substantial import forward as small episodes play out. Hamster remains disgruntled and disillusioned; Mole and Hedgehog shy from their innocent, mutual crush; and the group assembles for their unlikely holiday destination: the North Pole. The most successful exchange between characters, titled "Do-it-yourself," shows Hamster approaching Snail, hoisting supplies and a toolbox. "Snail, I've got a job to do. Would you give me a hand?" Snail responds, "Sure, Hamster, what are you making?" Dropping the items onto the ground and flattening a small flower patch, Hamster pivots, giving Snail his back; as he walks away he nonchalantly replies, "A spaceship. Have fun, Snail." Crushed, like the flower patch, Snail is left alone, giving a whole new meaning to DIY. Martin's simple, subtle depictionsreminiscent of Bob Shea's and Mo Willems' character drawings, they are rarely to scale and appear against vast, white or solid-colored backgroundsadorn Desbordes' unconventional, comical dialogue. A blunt, at times knee-slapping story suitable for perceptive young readers, those unsure of social cues, and global readers alike. (Graphic novel. 7 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
