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Storytime Ideas

Hamsters and Gerbils

It would be great fun to bring an actual hamster  to your storytime to go along with the following books.  Maybe a local pet store would loan one to the library; as far as I know, gerbils are illegal to import into California.  For a craft, go to www.hamstertours.com for Peggy Rathmann's great site relating to 10 Minutes till Bedtime.  You can print out a "Hamster Scope" craft or learn to make a Hamster RV. 

Rathmann, Peggy.  10 MINUTES TILL BEDTIME.
   The countdown begins as a child gets ready for bed, by reading to pet hamsters, taking a bath, dressing in pajamas, etc. 

Suen, Anastasia.  HAMSTER CHASE.
   Using the characters created by Ezra Jack Keats, this easy reader describes the class pet getting loose.

Baker, Alan.  BENJAMIN'S PORTRAIT.
   A hamster tries his paw at portrait painting.

Inkpen, Mick.  KIPPER AND ROLY.
   Kipper buys Roly the hamster as a gift for Pig, but soon decides he can't part with him!

Kirk, Daniel.  BUS STOP, BUS GO.
   A hamster gets loose on the school bus.

Brown, Marc.  ARTHUR AND THE SCHOOL PET.
   D.W. volunteers to take care of the class gerbil during Christmas vacation.