Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide [Paperback]

Ritsuko Kawai (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2002

Hamsters have a long history of popularity with children everywhere, and in Japan their popularity has skyrocketed. Driving the phenomenon is Ritsuko Kawai’s hugely popular manga series, Hamtaro Tales. Now kids who want to raise real hamsters can do so with the help of this colorful illustrated guide. The process of choosing and raising a hamster is covered, and photos of hamsters in precarious situations engage readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 62 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (December 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569318417
• ISBN-13: 978-1569318416
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,397,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from someone who doesn't watch Hamtaro, November 9, 2003

By 

C. Reyer (St Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide (Paperback)

I bought this book among other hamster owning books out of curiosity, thinking it would just be "for fun." However, this book is far more useful than the ones directed at an older audience. I can definitely see its uses for children as well.

The advice is direct and to the point. There is no agenda here or biased personal views. This is the first book I've found that lists how much room is actually needed for each breed as well as many pictures. This helped greatly when picking out a cage.

It's a book that is very concerned with a hamster's safety. It constantly warns against bullying and animal cruelty. In addition, it stresses responsibility. All in a very practical way.

It goes over hamster body language and emotions. As well as what human behaviors make a hamster unhappy.

Each chapter is followed by a less cutesy checklist for adults that expands on each topic.

This is an all-around solid book for first time owners of any age as well as a great idea. If only Disney and Taco Bell had come out with Dalmation and Chihuahua guidebooks in anticipation of their sudden pet popularity explosion.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very cute and very informative, April 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 5 year old son who loves Hamtaro. I didn't know what to expect with the book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it combines useful guidance about purchasing and caring for a pet hamster with very entertaining drawings and quotes from Hamtaro and his Ham-Ham friends. The text was factual but not dry or boring at all, and the reading level was pretty much at my son's level (2nd-3rd grade). There are also nice parent guide pages that are written at a slightly higher level.

This would be a good book for someone who's interested in hamsters, even if they aren't into the Hamtaro television show.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for young readers, June 26, 2005

By 

akakizzy "akakizzy" (Abilene, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide (Paperback)

I bought this book for my daughters 9th birthday because we decided to let her get a hamster. The book is very informative, has bright colorful pictures, and simply makes you want to read it! My daughter read the entire book in one setting, as did I. I liked the fact that each chapte focuses on the child reading the book, explaining everything in simple terms and then on the very last page of the chapter there is a just for parents list of everything that was covered in the chapter. I know I learned a few things from reading this book and I'm sure you child will too!