Who Stole the Hamster?
#1 in Smashie McPerter Investigates Series
What’s inside...
The first title in this hilarious young detective series, perfect for pet lovers and budding investigators. In the first book of this humorous mystery series, ideal for fans of David Baddiel, a school day starts as usual. However, chaos ensues in Room 11 when students notice their beloved pet hamster is missing. With natural suspects producing alibis and unclear motives, it's up to Smashie and her best friend, Dontel, to engage in some super-sleuthing to restore order. As complications arise with a terrible substitute teacher and mysterious events, Smashie and Dontel push their detective skills to the limit to solve the mystery of the missing hamster and bring peace back to their class.
Discussion points
Why do you think someone would want to steal the hamster?
How do you think the characters felt when they realized the hamster was missing?
What would you do if you were in their shoes to solve the mystery?
How did the characters work together to find the hamster, and why is teamwork important?
What did you learn from the book about handling unexpected situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the feelings of the characters by asking them how they would feel in a similar situation.
Highlight the importance of teamwork in solving problems by discussing the collaboration between the book's characters.
Use the mystery in the book to inspire curiosity and investigative thinking by asking your child what clues they noticed.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next, fostering imagination and forward-thinking.
Discuss the resolution of the book and what lessons can be learned about honesty and responsibility.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In the story, the main character learns to take care of a pet hamster, which teaches them the importance of being responsible for another living being.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small responsibilities at home, such as feeding a pet or tidying their room, fostering a sense of accountability.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The mystery of the missing hamster requires the characters to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to find solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use problem-solving skills in real life, whether in resolving conflicts with peers or overcoming obstacles in school projects.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Characters in the book show concern for the missing hamster, highlighting the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children learn to consider the feelings of their friends and family, helping them build stronger, more empathetic relationships.
Example Lesson: Collaboration
Explanation: The search for the hamster brings the community together, underscoring the value of working together towards a common goal.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in cooperative activities at school or during play, teaching kids the benefits of teamwork and mutual support.