What do you think?
Rate this book
Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster
This is a richly funny and thought-provoking book of comic strips about the friendships that animate a group of forest animals. The egotistical—but also endearing and really funny—Hamster is the main character, but his affectionate friends, who love Hamster despite all his flaws, are just as fascinating. Imagine a gourmand of a hamster who keeps a diary full of irresistible lies! Or a mole who drinks tea in bed while writing his novel, or a snail who asks after the "why" of the world and hopes that it doesn't rain. It's all here, and more! With the title a direct reference to Jean Jacques Rousseau's Reveries of a Solitary Walker , The Wild Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster is a childlike—but not in the least bit childish—take on the wanderings of thought and the life of the mind. Philosophical, ironic, and laugh-out-loud funny, this book is sure to appeal to readers of all ages. The author, who has a background in philosophy, employs her knowledge with great style and humor, infusing the book with a joyful spirit, while meditating on friendship, selfishness, and the power of dreams. Astrid Desbordes received her degree in philosophy and has written a number of books on philosophy and religion for adults. Currently, she divides her time between writing and editing. This is her first book for children. Pauline Martin is a graphic designer and illustrator. She has illustrated many graphic novels as well as children's books.
55 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
51 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 30, 2024
Thank all the deities for libraries and the fact that I did not pay money for the great displeasure of reading this!
Well, having it read to me. I asked my daughter if she liked it and what she liked about it, and the most she finally articulated was that she liked the party, and the snail. She likes parties and she likes cute creatures. I think she just enjoyed the closeness and quality time of reading to me for (a painfully long and boring) half an hour, when we haven’t done as much of that recently.
This book advertises itself as “laugh out loud funny” but neither of us lol'd a single time. Also, Hamster is described as “egotistical, but endearing and funny.” The former is definitely true, but not the latter two. Nothing is endearing about being a completely self-absorbed little shit who only ever takes and feels entitled to all that’s given and more. He has not one single redeeming quality while everyone else is shown to be sweet and giving and kind.
For example, Hamster wrote Rabbit a dis-invite to his birthday party, but Rabbit showed up anyway and proceeded to give him a really lovely gift that was massively enjoyed. Hamster does not deserve any of the other characters as his friends. Mole is possibly the sweetest. Hedgehog and Snail are nice too. Hell, knock off Hamster and while the book may still be tedious and lacking, it’d be improved tenfold. Re-titled something like, Quaint Community of Forest Creatures.
On a less serious note, Comic Sans, or possibly just a font quite close to it, was used. I normally wouldn’t even mention such a thing, but given how much I’m dissing this book already, it’s an amusing detail for obvious reasons (to most.) I read that this was the author’s first children’s book. I say, too bad it wasn’t also the last. But hey, supposedly many actually liked it!
Well, having it read to me. I asked my daughter if she liked it and what she liked about it, and the most she finally articulated was that she liked the party, and the snail. She likes parties and she likes cute creatures. I think she just enjoyed the closeness and quality time of reading to me for (a painfully long and boring) half an hour, when we haven’t done as much of that recently.
This book advertises itself as “laugh out loud funny” but neither of us lol'd a single time. Also, Hamster is described as “egotistical, but endearing and funny.” The former is definitely true, but not the latter two. Nothing is endearing about being a completely self-absorbed little shit who only ever takes and feels entitled to all that’s given and more. He has not one single redeeming quality while everyone else is shown to be sweet and giving and kind.
For example, Hamster wrote Rabbit a dis-invite to his birthday party, but Rabbit showed up anyway and proceeded to give him a really lovely gift that was massively enjoyed. Hamster does not deserve any of the other characters as his friends. Mole is possibly the sweetest. Hedgehog and Snail are nice too. Hell, knock off Hamster and while the book may still be tedious and lacking, it’d be improved tenfold. Re-titled something like, Quaint Community of Forest Creatures.
On a less serious note, Comic Sans, or possibly just a font quite close to it, was used. I normally wouldn’t even mention such a thing, but given how much I’m dissing this book already, it’s an amusing detail for obvious reasons (to most.) I read that this was the author’s first children’s book. I say, too bad it wasn’t also the last. But hey, supposedly many actually liked it!
Did Not Finish
July 21, 2025DNF
Yes, it's only 56 pages long, but life is too short for this poorly drawn and majorly unfunny crap.
No stars.
Yes, it's only 56 pages long, but life is too short for this poorly drawn and majorly unfunny crap.
No stars.
March 31, 2011
Laugh out loud funny graphic novel.
I have had a hard time connecting with the graphic novel genre. I have found the strips to be visually overwhelming and the fonts to be difficult to read.
Which is why I loved Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster. The clean, simple drawings with nuanced changes are lovely. There was no overwhelming sense to slam the book shut that I so often feel with other books of this genre. I felt comfortable with the flow.
I was laughing out loud continually throughout the read. Characters are a hoot and interactions are charming.
Not everyone will appreciate the conversations. Those that do, will find it hysterical.
A fabulous entry level graphic book :)
I have had a hard time connecting with the graphic novel genre. I have found the strips to be visually overwhelming and the fonts to be difficult to read.
Which is why I loved Daydreams of a Solitary Hamster. The clean, simple drawings with nuanced changes are lovely. There was no overwhelming sense to slam the book shut that I so often feel with other books of this genre. I felt comfortable with the flow.
I was laughing out loud continually throughout the read. Characters are a hoot and interactions are charming.
Not everyone will appreciate the conversations. Those that do, will find it hysterical.
A fabulous entry level graphic book :)
March 1, 2012
Yes, it's a children's book...but I can't think of too many adult readers who would not love this book. It's sweet and it's hilarious...I mean, laugh-out-loud hilarious. Take one self-centered hamster and add a birthday party that he's planning for himself, plus friends like a mole, a snail, a hedgehog, and a rabbit. (Oh, wait, the rabbit isn't invited...oh, well, never mind.) It'll take 20 minutes of your life just to read it through. But don't go too quickly...the illustrations are half the fun.
August 1, 2012
This bizarre and hilarious and poignant little book was in the kids' section of the library, but I don't think kids would get it. Hedgehog worries that no one will love him, because he's prickly. Mole is writing a poetic and melancholy novel. And hamster? Hamster is the most self-centered being on the planet, but his friends are so innocent and well-meaning that none of them notice. Simply drawn and written, and simply hilarious.
August 21, 2012
Absolutely amusing. I knew by the look of the back cover that this would be pretty funny. Hamster is selfish and egotistical and totally awesome. My favorite little vignettes are where he writes an invitation to Rabbit, star-gazes and realizes that the stars are probably gazing upon him in admiration and where he outright lies to his diary. I'm not sure what to think of Mole's novel about the worm crying tears of joy but whatever. Definitely silly and fun.
April 11, 2011
Selfish and self-absorbed Hamster has better friends (Mole, Hedgehog, Snail, Squirrel and Rabbit) than he deserves.
October 7, 2019
Genre: Picture Books – Graphic Novel/ Comic Book
Awards: N/A
Audience: 1st grade to 2nd grade
A. The book contains pages with varying numbers of frames in it with speech bubbles and thinking bubbles.
B. The illustrations of the book are very 2d and a cartoon. There isn’t much of detail in the illustrations which would help readers focus more on reading the book in the right sequence as well as understand the story. This way when they read more intricate graphic novels/ comic books they won’t have any difficulty.
C. I would use this book for a child to read independently since it has small chapters.
D. Q: What was hamster planning for? A: a party
Awards: N/A
Audience: 1st grade to 2nd grade
A. The book contains pages with varying numbers of frames in it with speech bubbles and thinking bubbles.
B. The illustrations of the book are very 2d and a cartoon. There isn’t much of detail in the illustrations which would help readers focus more on reading the book in the right sequence as well as understand the story. This way when they read more intricate graphic novels/ comic books they won’t have any difficulty.
C. I would use this book for a child to read independently since it has small chapters.
D. Q: What was hamster planning for? A: a party
December 19, 2021
This graphic comic style picturebook is smart, droll and slightly confusing as I'm not entirely sure who the target audience is. I think some of the humour would sail right over most children's heads but I found it very funny, highly relatable and quite touching. An eclectic bunch of forest creatures hang out together revealing some of their own idiosyncrasies and insecurities, and helping each other out although most of the time being too busy with their own thoughts to ever really see the truth about their friends. The illustrations are a perfect match for the dry humour.
February 27, 2023
I love these books. They are very funny and the characters are well defined and interesting, even with only a few lines.
The art is delightful and goes perfectly with the witty and perceptive writing.
I wish they were more widely available in the U.S. I had to get Ms. Desbordes’ hamster books from Interlibrary Loan. Even at amazon I would have to buy them used.
The art is delightful and goes perfectly with the witty and perceptive writing.
I wish they were more widely available in the U.S. I had to get Ms. Desbordes’ hamster books from Interlibrary Loan. Even at amazon I would have to buy them used.
April 15, 2024
This book is incredibly boring. It's clearly written by someone who fancies themselves a brilliant philosopher. There are no jokes and there are no stories. If the Shower Thoughts subreddit was a lot less clever and turned into a comic book, this would be it. I don't know what 5-star reviewers of it have been smoking.
January 22, 2020
Such an odd little book. Overall, I felt the "deep" moments fell flat. Yet, there were 3 or 4 pages in the book that just warmed my heart and got me in the feels.
September 19, 2022
Great title and I might have enjoyed it more if I were French? I don't know.
August 26, 2010
Lucy Longstocking review http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blogs/kids/ind...
My favourite food is Ice Cream. Hamster’s favourite food is waffles. Hamster is a very selfish Hamster and he never shares his waffles. Lucky for Hamster he has lovely friends: Mole, Hedgehog, Snail, Squirrel and Rabbit, and they like him even though he is selfish, lazy and a bit arrogant.
“Reflections of a Solitary Hamster” is a graphic-novel about friendship. Astrid Desbordes- the author – and Pauline Martin- the illustrator- work together to reveal snippets of life on a pretty, big sky prairie. Sometimes I wonder what my friends do at the end of the day, when the party is over, when there are no more biscuits and when they tuck themselves into bed. What do they think about? This hilarious book shows you. The animals ponder their lives, their anxieties and walnuts as they get ready for; (drum roll please): Hamster’s birthday! However odd and imperfect they may be, this book is still very funny and full of kindness:
“Hedgehog, will you dance with me?”
“With me? Oh, yes please, Mole. No one has ever asked me to dance before, because of my prickles”
“And no one asks me because I step on my partners paws”
“Then let’s fingertip dance, okay?”
Okay.
My favourite food is Ice Cream. Hamster’s favourite food is waffles. Hamster is a very selfish Hamster and he never shares his waffles. Lucky for Hamster he has lovely friends: Mole, Hedgehog, Snail, Squirrel and Rabbit, and they like him even though he is selfish, lazy and a bit arrogant.
“Reflections of a Solitary Hamster” is a graphic-novel about friendship. Astrid Desbordes- the author – and Pauline Martin- the illustrator- work together to reveal snippets of life on a pretty, big sky prairie. Sometimes I wonder what my friends do at the end of the day, when the party is over, when there are no more biscuits and when they tuck themselves into bed. What do they think about? This hilarious book shows you. The animals ponder their lives, their anxieties and walnuts as they get ready for; (drum roll please): Hamster’s birthday! However odd and imperfect they may be, this book is still very funny and full of kindness:
“Hedgehog, will you dance with me?”
“With me? Oh, yes please, Mole. No one has ever asked me to dance before, because of my prickles”
“And no one asks me because I step on my partners paws”
“Then let’s fingertip dance, okay?”
Okay.
June 2, 2010
NOT your average picture book.
Some people (of all ages) aren't going to "get" this book and that's okay, because those that do "get it" will be richly rewarded for years to come.
Short graphic novel vignettes follow a group of friends and their everyday interactions. Through the course of their conversations, the commonplace become deeply philosophical, humorous, complex, satisfying, and even rewarding.
Some families will come to cherish this book. Will it be yours?
Some people (of all ages) aren't going to "get" this book and that's okay, because those that do "get it" will be richly rewarded for years to come.
Short graphic novel vignettes follow a group of friends and their everyday interactions. Through the course of their conversations, the commonplace become deeply philosophical, humorous, complex, satisfying, and even rewarding.
Some families will come to cherish this book. Will it be yours?
June 13, 2010
This is an odd little book that is difficult to classify or explain. Told in episodic comic panels, the story follows a group of forest friends, led by the egotistical Hamster, as they learn lessons in friendship and happiness. The author's background as a philosopher and theologian clearly influenced this work, which contains deeper meaning than the words on the page. It reminded me of The Little Prince in this regard.
October 27, 2009
Absolutely beautiful. I fear this may be one of those picture books that's somewhat wasted on children :-)
The illustrations are as spare as the title suggests. There's a lovely cast of characters, each with their own special traits that we can recognise in people we know. Very, very funny; I think both adults and children will love it.
The illustrations are as spare as the title suggests. There's a lovely cast of characters, each with their own special traits that we can recognise in people we know. Very, very funny; I think both adults and children will love it.
September 2, 2012
So cute! A hamster as self-involved as Greg Heffley tells snippets of his everyday life around the time of his birthday, leading up to the big event. I loved the illustrations, and the unfinished feeling of each story that leaves readers to make their own judgments. Some littler kids might not find this type of fill-in-the-blank humour funny, but it is appropriate for all ages.
July 19, 2016
Hamster is a bit egotistical and waffle-obsessed. He invites the other woodland animals to his birthday party. Overall a cute story, but the humor is... unique.
Readers' Advisory: Great for someone with more quirky humor. Again, I cannot stress enough how much of an ego Hamster has - it requires a reader who can deal with this sometimes annoying trait and see the humor in his hyperbolic nature.
Readers' Advisory: Great for someone with more quirky humor. Again, I cannot stress enough how much of an ego Hamster has - it requires a reader who can deal with this sometimes annoying trait and see the humor in his hyperbolic nature.
June 1, 2019
“Reflections of a Solitary Hamster” by Astrid Desbordes, Pauline Martin (Illustrator)
Felt like I was reading a marshmallow: soft, cute, a small moment of satisfaction.
“I love waffles. The fear of running out haunts me. I can’t help that. My passion for them will never die.” – Hamster
….
Felt like I was reading a marshmallow: soft, cute, a small moment of satisfaction.
“I love waffles. The fear of running out haunts me. I can’t help that. My passion for them will never die.” – Hamster
….
July 20, 2010
This graphic novel is about a selfish, yet endearing Hamster and his friends: Mole, Hedgehog, Snail, Squirrel and Rabbit. All of the animals put up with Hamster's selfishness. It is interesting to see how the other animals conduct themselves as friends. Grades K-3
August 17, 2012
Mole, snail, rabbit, and a cast of other extraordinary critters with droll personalities are the supporting cast to Hamster's grandiose imaginings. Arranged as 1-2 page scenes, the little stories accumulate leading to a charming ending that suggests more books to come.
July 7, 2010
Hamster is getting ready for his birthday. He even tells the guests what to bring and not to attend without a gift. His friends help to teach him about real gifts.
July 17, 2010
Hmmm . . .
I'm oddly fascinated. Hamster is a bit of a riot.
I'm oddly fascinated. Hamster is a bit of a riot.
July 17, 2010
3.5 stars
August 13, 2010
Gave up on this one. Wasn't feeling the artwork or the writing. It was all a bit odd. The character being a hamster didn't help any.
June 28, 2011
Cute and simple, but I didn't think it was brilliant or anything.
March 22, 2012
It was a lovley experience reading this book with its cute pictures and charming diologue. I'd read it again and again.
March 26, 2012
I think that hamster was mean about not liking people gifts in front of them. F.B.
June 19, 2012
This oversized graphic novel requires readers to grasp things at a completely different level. You'll either get it or won't.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews