Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race

In Hillyard's feel-good tale, a roly-poly hamster named Ned learns to pay kindness forward during an adventuresome race. On the day of the big event, it's not long before "ready to win" Ned takes the lead. Prioritizing his drive to come in first, he "zooms" past a slug in need of direction, some hungry pigeons, and a figure stuck in a deep hole--"but Ned does not have time to stop and help." When the potato-shaped protagonist gets into a tight spot mid-race, the unexpected generosity of a passerby causes him to rethink what winning can look like, resulting in a mid-race backtrack and a memorable takeaway that sees all the funny, furry runners come together. Thick, smudgy smears of color and crayon-like markings give scenes a naif quality, while googly eyes and buckteeth lend the racers a likable goofiness that helps successfully deliver a message of kindliness. Ages 4--8. (July)

A young hamster is too focused on winning to stop and help others in need, until a mishap of his own teaches him that kindness matters more than speed. Ned has been training hard for the Great Garden Hamster Race. Hamsters have gathered from around the globe, and though many of them look speedy, Ned is determined to win. Nothing will slow him down--not even encounters with a lost slug, hungry pigeons, and a rabbit trapped in a hole. But soon, Ned needs some help himself. When a passing fox treats him with unexpected kindness, Ned realizes that caring for others is more important than winning. He retraces his steps to help the other animals in distress. Long after dark, Ned is still running the race, but the end is in sight. He finds the other hamsters waiting for him so they can all cross the finish line together. The turning point focuses primarily on Ned's actions rather than his thoughts or emotions; because the book doesn't explore the motivation behind his change of heart, the message feels somewhat diminished. Still, it's a feel-good tale, and the illustrations, painted in chunky brushstrokes with handwritten speech bubbles, brim with stylistic appeal. A sweetly simple story with a straightforward, if somewhat superficial, message of altruism. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.