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Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates
Two hamster roommates with wildly different personalities crammed in one cage--what could go wrong in this hilarious story about introverts versus extroverts?
It's been two hundred and five days since Henry has had peace. That's because it's been two hundred and five days since Marvin has come to live with him. Marvin, who loves to talk in the tunnels, talk while they're eating, talk while they're running. Marvin, who drives Henry up the cage walls. But when Henry finally loses his cool and gets exactly what he wanted, both hamsters have to figure out a way to live together and work through their communication mishaps.
It's been two hundred and five days since Henry has had peace. That's because it's been two hundred and five days since Marvin has come to live with him. Marvin, who loves to talk in the tunnels, talk while they're eating, talk while they're running. Marvin, who drives Henry up the cage walls. But when Henry finally loses his cool and gets exactly what he wanted, both hamsters have to figure out a way to live together and work through their communication mishaps.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2021
3 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Klein
5 books43 followersCheryl E. Klein is the author of CRYBABY, a memoir about desperately wanting a baby and getting cancer instead (forthcoming from Brown Paper Press in 2022). She is also the author of two works of fiction: THE COMMUTERS (City Works Press) and LILAC MINES (Manic D Press). She writes and edits for MUTHA Magazine (muthamagazine.com) and blogs about the intersection of life, art, and carbohydrates at breadandbread.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 27, 2022
Fluffy illustrations, bold text, a nice economy of language, and a sweet message for everyone.
January 21, 2022
I'm convinced the author of Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates has been secretly filming my partner and I for material. Just like the two hamsters in this book, one of us is an introvert and the other is an extrovert. Just like in this book, this has led to frustration and hurt feelings between us. And just like in this book, we've found ways to compromise and make it work. Kids will enjoy this book too, it's silly with great pictures, but this is one where the adult reader might relate a lot more than the kid they are reading it to.
March 28, 2022
super cute.
fight me on it bro.
fight me on it bro.
July 22, 2022
How does a person know how you feel about something if you don't tell the truth?
That is the message this book seeks to convey using hamsters.
No joke.
And you know what, it works.
Introvert and extrovert is the example but I think so many things work. If you want change, if something bothers you, SPEAK UP
That is the message this book seeks to convey using hamsters.
No joke.
And you know what, it works.
Introvert and extrovert is the example but I think so many things work. If you want change, if something bothers you, SPEAK UP
April 25, 2022
4 stars
This book is a true gem! It follows two hamsters that have completely different personalities, one is an introvert and the other is an extrovert. How could two hamsters with completely different personalities ever get along but also live together? This book shows that despite their differences, they can compromise and appreciate each other despite their differences.
~ Miss Jenny
This book is a true gem! It follows two hamsters that have completely different personalities, one is an introvert and the other is an extrovert. How could two hamsters with completely different personalities ever get along but also live together? This book shows that despite their differences, they can compromise and appreciate each other despite their differences.
~ Miss Jenny
January 10, 2022
A great book to teach children the importance of communication and compromising.
January 11, 2022
Funny and kids will like the relationship between the two hamsters, Henry and Marvin. I love the message about how communication is important and a compromise can solve their problem. Great story to share with kids!
November 5, 2021
Rounding up from 3.5 stars. Cute book to teach children about the importance of communication. Best for the K-2 age group. I think it helps if they have had a hamster or some experience with one.
November 22, 2021
I had to read this out loud to B. and we both loved it.
February 2, 2024
Cute, funny, and with a well-described lesson.
May 23, 2025
Super cute book about resolving differences. The illustrations were sweet.
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 72
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#FirstOnetoCheckOut
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 72
#MonarchNominees2026
#FirstOnetoCheckOut
May 28, 2025
Cute picture book with a lesson about how compromises must be made among friends.
January 22, 2022
Cute. I mean it's 🐹 hamsters.
March 31, 2022
Henry’s narrative voice is so strong! Then, Henry and Marvin are juxtaposed so well to reflect the differences between siblings, friends, and others kids interact with. The message is great - Marvin can’t read Henry’s mind! And the ending is so sweet. The counted days perfectly reveal so much about the hamsters’ relationship over time.
June 22, 2024
While I think the best audience for this book is a bit younger than our Show Me Nominee audience, it was still a good book. The tension between the characters provides an excellent opportunity for discussions about points of view, problem-solving, apologizing, collaboration, and more.
March 11, 2021
Henry just wants peace and quiet. Marvin loves to talk. These two roommates are polar opposites, will they ever get along? Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates is a great way for children to learn about cohabitation and working through differences. Not everyone will have the same personality nor enjoy the same things. These two hamsters demonstrate how communication and compromise can lead to stronger relationships. Marvin and Henry are adorable and readers will relate to each of the animals struggles. The illustrations are realistic and make the written plot come to life.
May 8, 2021
Henry likes to keep things calm and quiet-- but his roommate Marvin can be a bit intense with his chatter and exercise. On the 206th day of living together, Henry snaps at Marvin about his habits... though Marvin didn't know Henry felt that way before! When these cuddly critters learn to openly communicate their needs, they might just find that hamsters don't make such terrible roommates after all.
November 19, 2021
So cute and a great story about how important communicating and respecting everyone's individual needs are.
October 5, 2022
In this picture book, readers follow the perspective of a hamster who is fed up with the behaviors of its "roommate," another hamster. They are fed up with the other hamster's talking, gloating, and following. They finally confront the other hamster by yelling at them; which makes the other hamster sad. When the other hamster apologizes and explains they only wanted to be to talked to, the main character goes back and apologizes themselves. In the end, they create agreements so that they may both live happily in their cage.
This book by Klein is perfect for lower elementary students. The illustrations are cute, and you can tell by the facial differences that the brown hamster is the more "serious" one and the white hamster is meant to be the more cute and innocent one. In the end, the author shows how the two characters settle their difference and form agreements, which would be a great lesson to teach younger children. I especially love the illustrations on the inside of the cover pages; the tubes and hamsters running through them. It foreshadows the pages which the brown hamster is being followed by the white one through the tunnels.
This book would have also been a great Caldecott recipient not only because of the final message it gives, but I could easily see children being engaged in this story. I like that we aren't following two humans, but we are following two animals -- hamsters with human like feelings. Even the small details in font where there are text bubbles, and the illustrations are not too detailed, but are clearly drawn. The pages themselves are not extremely busy, which I also feel would help children pay attention and draw them to the characters on each page.
This book by Klein is perfect for lower elementary students. The illustrations are cute, and you can tell by the facial differences that the brown hamster is the more "serious" one and the white hamster is meant to be the more cute and innocent one. In the end, the author shows how the two characters settle their difference and form agreements, which would be a great lesson to teach younger children. I especially love the illustrations on the inside of the cover pages; the tubes and hamsters running through them. It foreshadows the pages which the brown hamster is being followed by the white one through the tunnels.
This book would have also been a great Caldecott recipient not only because of the final message it gives, but I could easily see children being engaged in this story. I like that we aren't following two humans, but we are following two animals -- hamsters with human like feelings. Even the small details in font where there are text bubbles, and the illustrations are not too detailed, but are clearly drawn. The pages themselves are not extremely busy, which I also feel would help children pay attention and draw them to the characters on each page.
September 20, 2023
This book so adorably written and illustrated. Two completely different hamsters are living together, for over two hundred days. One hamster, Marvin, talks all day long, the other, Henry, never talks and Henry does not like that Marvin talks all day everyday. Eventually, Henry tells Marvin he does not like that he talks all the time. Marvin is upset and they do not talk for a whole day. Marvin apologizes for making Henry upset, Henry then tells Marvin how he feels. The next day they have the best day ever, and finally enjoy each others company. This book is illustrated so that everything flows from page to pay, rather it be a hamster walking off the page as if it is walking away or the thought bubbles going across the page. This book is colorful and would be able to keep the attention of younger children. This book would be great for elementary age children and even younger children and babies.
May 6, 2022
"Maybe if we talk more, we can be quiet more too."
It's been 205 days that Henry and Marvin have been roommates. Henry likes the quiet; Marvin is high energy and loves to talk. Things aren't going very well, at least for Henry. Henry can find no place to hide from Marvin and so, on day 206, Henry finally explodes in a torrent of ugly words that end with "Go away! And Leave me Alone!" At first, Henry is feeling very good about his solitude. Then, Marvin approaches with an apology "I wish I knew you wanted quiet. I talked to you because I like talking and I wanted you to talk to me."
Understanding what each other needs and communicating with one another is vital for having a good friendship. A good read aloud for younger students talking about friendship.
It's been 205 days that Henry and Marvin have been roommates. Henry likes the quiet; Marvin is high energy and loves to talk. Things aren't going very well, at least for Henry. Henry can find no place to hide from Marvin and so, on day 206, Henry finally explodes in a torrent of ugly words that end with "Go away! And Leave me Alone!" At first, Henry is feeling very good about his solitude. Then, Marvin approaches with an apology "I wish I knew you wanted quiet. I talked to you because I like talking and I wanted you to talk to me."
Understanding what each other needs and communicating with one another is vital for having a good friendship. A good read aloud for younger students talking about friendship.
May 26, 2022
Henry is a hamster who is annoyed with his roommate, Marvin. Marvin is always talking and says the same thing every day. Marvin never leaves Henry alone, one day Henry loses his cool. Henry then enjoys the silence and alone time but realizes he hurt Marvin's feelings. The two hamsters learn to compromise so they can live together happily.
The illustrations are so cute and the story is a great story about being kind and learning to get along with others. I read this multiple times to my two boys (7 yo and 4 yo) and they just love it.
The illustrations are so cute and the story is a great story about being kind and learning to get along with others. I read this multiple times to my two boys (7 yo and 4 yo) and they just love it.
July 11, 2023
I love the message of this book SO much! Other people have things on their mind that you cannot necessarily guess or might not understand until you care enough to ask.
Parents or teachers who read this book to a child have the opportunity to explain how it is beneficial for that child to USE WORDS to tell others what he/she wants or what makes him or her feel comfortable.
The hamsters in this book show how you can become really good friends with someone after you spend the time to understand how to be together with less conflict.
Love!
Parents or teachers who read this book to a child have the opportunity to explain how it is beneficial for that child to USE WORDS to tell others what he/she wants or what makes him or her feel comfortable.
The hamsters in this book show how you can become really good friends with someone after you spend the time to understand how to be together with less conflict.
Love!
November 16, 2021
My son's class has a pet hamster so I think this book held extra intrigue for him as a look into the life of a hamster. Adorably cute and well written this book runs the gamut of emotions that one might feel with a "different than me" special friend who you truly like, even if they rub you the wrong way. Over the course of a day the hamsters work through their "how to get along" feelings and come to an agreement that everyone can live with.
February 21, 2022
Henry and Marvin are hamster roommates with very different personalities and very little time and space alone. Henry finally can't take it anymore and tells Marvin off, but Marvin didn't know how Henry felt because he never told him. They both realize they need to communicate better with other to live more comfortably. The playful text, paired with the funny illustrations, makes this book a humorous read with a lot of heart.
February 22, 2022
Picture book from the library
I thought this would be a cute, silly story but I love the way it addresses communication! Henry Hamster likes the quiet, but Marvin Hamster loves to run around and yell and talk. Henry and Marvin end up living together in a much easier- and friendlier- way after they communicate about what they like and don't like and how they best enjoy spending time in their shared cage.
I thought this would be a cute, silly story but I love the way it addresses communication! Henry Hamster likes the quiet, but Marvin Hamster loves to run around and yell and talk. Henry and Marvin end up living together in a much easier- and friendlier- way after they communicate about what they like and don't like and how they best enjoy spending time in their shared cage.
Read
March 7, 2022Encountered this book during an interview with the author, who wrote it semi-autobiographically about the relationship between herself and a professor of mine when they were in college. Decades later and they are still good friends.
Perhaps the message feels more heartfelt when I understand just how real it was for her. Regardless, a cute story about introversion and the importance of communication with some of the most expressive artwork I’ve encountered in a children’s book.
Perhaps the message feels more heartfelt when I understand just how real it was for her. Regardless, a cute story about introversion and the importance of communication with some of the most expressive artwork I’ve encountered in a children’s book.
May 19, 2022
If you are looking for books on sibling relationships and problem solving, Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates by Cheryl B. Klein and Abhi Alwar might be just what you are looking for. Marvin is a talker, a non-stop talker. Henry is not and his irritation grows and grows until one day he pops! This book would be fun for kids age 3 -10 to use as a humerous discussion starter on those days when you are desparately trying to help the kids get along.
June 27, 2022
Henry tells readers about his roommate. Marvin is loud and talks all the time. He constantly interrupts Henry's quiet times until Day 206 when Henry explodes. He then realizes he misses Marvin and the two work out a compromise to allow some quiet and some talking times.
Great book to discuss living/being in the same spaces and offering everyone what they need. The illustrations capture the moods of each hamster.
Great book to discuss living/being in the same spaces and offering everyone what they need. The illustrations capture the moods of each hamster.
December 28, 2021
4.5 stars
i just thought the title was funny so i picked it up but it was much more endearing than expected. a funny little story of two hamster roommates (one is an introvert, one is an extrovert) who learn to ask for what they want, or else they'll never get it. it also shows how two friends can come to a compromise even if the things they want are different.
i just thought the title was funny so i picked it up but it was much more endearing than expected. a funny little story of two hamster roommates (one is an introvert, one is an extrovert) who learn to ask for what they want, or else they'll never get it. it also shows how two friends can come to a compromise even if the things they want are different.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews