My Humongous Hamster
on Goodreads (84)
What’s inside...
In the sequel 'My Humongous Hamster Goes to School', the humongous hamster returns and creates chaos at school. He devours all the packed lunches, joyfully participates in dance class, and engages in playground activities. By the end of the day, the hamster is exhausted and shrinks back to his normal size, only to potentially grow humongous again when he gets very hungry.
Discussion points
How do you think you would feel if your pet grew as big as the hamster in the story?
What would you do if you had a giant pet? Can you imagine a fun adventure with it?
Why do you think the hamster grew so big? What does that tell us about taking care of pets?
How did the people in the story react to the humongous hamster? What would you do if you saw a giant animal?
What can we learn about friendship and caring from the boy and his hamster in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the story come alive, altering your voice for different characters and situations.
Pause at key moments to ask your child predictive questions, like 'What do you think will happen next?' to engage their imagination and reasoning.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing any pets you have or encounters with animals, drawing parallels to the narrative.
Encourage your child to draw their version of a 'humongous pet' and describe the kind of adventures they would have together.
Discuss the themes of responsibility and care in the story, asking your child how they would care for a pet, regardless of its size.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the hamster grows to an enormous size, the child protagonist learns to take care of his unusually large pet, emphasizing the need for responsibility towards pets regardless of circumstances.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that taking care of a pet requires commitment and diligence, helping them apply this sense of responsibility to caring for their own pets or completing personal tasks.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The book explores the adventures that ensue from the hamster's gigantic size, showcasing the power of a child’s imagination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in imaginative play, which fosters creativity and problem-solving skills in real life.
Example Lesson: Understanding Consequences
Explanation: The story illustrates the consequences of the hamster's enormous size on the environment and the people around it.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their actions can affect others and their surroundings, promoting mindfulness and forethought in daily decisions.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the hamster keeps growing, the child learns to adapt to new challenges and find new ways to manage the situation.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of adapting to unexpected changes and challenges in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Joy of Caring
Explanation: Despite the challenges, the child shows love and care for the humongous hamster, deriving joy from this nurturing role.
Real-World Application: Highlights the emotional rewards of caring for another, encouraging empathy and kindness towards pets and peers alike.