GLAMSTERS

Harriet Hamster and her sister Patricia have gone unadopted for far too long. Sleepless on the night before Hamster World’s “huge annual sale,” Harriet finds herself reading a hamster fashion magazine that lines the cage and decides to make herself over into a glamster. Some homemade High Gloss-and-Glo Fur Volumizer, a new hat made from a Life Savers wrapper and a few whisker extensions later, she’s...uh-oh, she’s “FrankenHamster.” Some sound advice and a bath from sensible (and well-rested) Patricia sets things right, just in time. Kimmel makes the most of her silly premise, going just enough over the top to create a satisfyingly goofy heroine before bringing her back to reality, though much of the fashion satire will likely sail over readers’ heads. Urbanovic’s heavy outlines give her hamsters a wide range of comical expressions, but young kids who love to dress up may not see any problem with Harriet’s makeover. For sophisticated readers with enough emotional distance, it’s a hoot and a half. (Picture book. 6-9)