Spinning in Your Head
To finish out Children’s Book Week, I decided to read a book my mentor, the lovely and talented author extraordinaire Tess Thompson, suggested. She pointed to me to the book, The World According to Humphrey by Betty G Birney, which was published in 2005.
When Tess told me about this book, I was in the middle of writing my own children’s story and Humphrey got put on the bookshelf to be read later. Time has a way of passing very quickly and the book sat in the house for over a year. I finally got to it in the last week. However, this sometimes happens with books. You mean to get to it and something pops up. Well, I really meant it this time and I sat down with my two dogs, Sydney and Buddy, and we dived into Humphrey’s world- hook, line, and spinning wheel.
The main character of this story if everyone’s favorite little hamster who live in room 26 of an elementary school. When the story opens Humphrey learns his favorite teacher, Ms. Mac, who cares for him and even takes him home in the evenings is leaving for the school year and he doesn’t care for the substitute – the dreaded Mrs. Brisbane. Through the course of the initial week Humphrey makes friends with the janitor who visits the room after school. People in this story love the little hamster and soon Humphrey is learning details about his new friends. In the case of the janitor, Aldo, Humphrey learns he is lonely and looking for love. Humphrey is a planner and can’t have his friends feeling blue. He works his magic, with help from an overhead projector, and Aldo soon discovers an opportunity to meet someone new. Move over millionaire matchmaker, Humphrey is coming through.
Alas, we need some drama. The weekend arrives and Humphrey is looking at the possibility of being left in the classroom all alone for two whole days. A couple of the staff come with an idea to have different students watch after Humphrey if they’d like. The principal looks after Humphrey the first weekend and soon other students of room 26 are joining in. The school year goes on and Humphrey is introduced to a new family each weekend. Along the way he helps a shy girl learn to speak up. One weekend e splits his time with two friends who are having trouble communicating and another defending himself from a dog who’s a little to curious and discovers Humphrey is a pretty good shot with a rubber-band. At one point, the furry little one finds himself unplugging a TV that ultimately helps a family reconnect.
But as the holidays approach, Humphrey finds himself at Thanksgiving weekend and all the students have plans. Reluctantly Mrs. Brisbane agrees to take Humphrey, neither of them are excited about four long days together. Both learn that it’s not always best to have preconceived notions about one another. To find out why you’ll just have to do what I did, read the book. Speaking honestly, Humphrey started off slow for me. I also read slowly so this wasn’t a good combo. But Humphrey surprised me and my two dogs. Halfway through I set the book down to finish for that particular night. My dog Sydney, sitting next to me on the couch, reached over to put her paw on my leg. “Uh um,” she said, “one more chapter.” I can’t say no to the Sydster. I’m glad I listened to her.
