TALES OF MR PENGACHOOSA

by Caroline Rush

While recovering from a long illness, a little girl is entertained by her pet hamster who tells her stories about his adventurous grandfather.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a kid. It’s still fantastic, but melancholy.

[Doug Kauffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't usually review children's books I read, but I found this book notable and a bit strange. Each chapter is a story-in-a-story. The narrator, a girl stuck indoors due to rheumatic fever, learns to understand her hamster, Hammie, who then recounts stories of his grandfather, Mr. Pengachoosa. Both the format and the content of the stories (many are about magical occurrences) may require some explanation for younger readers. One chapter had four layers of nested stories: the narrator recounts Hammie's account of a story told to Mr. Pengachoosa by a sentient tree.

[Carfig · Rating 4 out of 5]

endearing, engaging stories of an adventurous hamster, as told by his grandchild to the child's rehabilitating owner girl, who is the only one in the human family to understand that the pet hamster is actually talking. There is plenty of evidence that he isn't talking, but that doesn't make the stories any less sweet.

[Les Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most wildly imaginative and carefully crafted series of children's stories that I have encountered. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and the characters are impressive and captivating. A truly convincing escape from reality.

[Julia Orr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of funny.

[Kristy Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my very favorite books of a child. It is made up of short stories that are all told to a little girl by her pet hamster, but the stories are all connected in some way. Many of them are about his family and hers and their long-standing connection. I like that the little girl can only her the hamster on days when there is nothing going on and she is very quiet with him.

These stories would be too long for a lot of very young children, but they're great for the transition from little kid books to chapter books.

[Amy Shuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a chiild and I've been looking for it for years. The fact that I couldn't remember the title really slowed me down. The local library updated it's website with a better search engine and low and behold there it was! And two sequals to boot. I'm delighted to find that the book has held up after all these years. Much like The Wind in the Willows and the Old Mother West Wind stories this was written so well that it apeals to all ages. I'm looking forward to the others and getting them all for my collection.

[Evie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have tried so hard to love this book as I read it aloud to my kids. But it is a horrifying "read aloud" book. The sentences are so long and run-on. Sometimes they border on garden path sentences. The stories seem like they are half thought through. It is almost as if the authour lost interest or ran out of ideas midway through writing. I know this book has the nostalgia factor on its side but I cannot wait until my children lose interest in this storybook.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, the golden age before helicopter parents, when children and animals had their own mysterious lives and things didn't always turn out alright in the end. A marvelous book. Thanks to my mother, who found it in some thrift store when Malcolm was a baby.

[Karen L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read aloud for a family with young children about a Hamster and his adventures.

[Martin Bihl · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite enjoyable, imaginative and entertaining stories that are brief and don't beat you over the head with moralizing. wish i'd read it when i was little.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It was my favorite as a little girl and I've been looking for it for years. Happy to have found it again and eager to reread it as an adult. Will review soon.

[Tommie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my most favorite book as a child. I still have it and I still treasure it. What a wonderful book!

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute book for children!