1980s picture book about a hamster/guinea pig that causes all kinds of problems with art supplies [s]

[Stephanie]

Hello and please help me!

I am working on creating a library for when we start a family and I really want to include one of my favorite books when I was little. I never owned this one, but checked it out of the library many times.

It is a children's book with lots of pictures. Wider than it is tall. Illustrations not as "cartoonish" as other children's books.

The premise is a hamster (or maybe a guinea pig) who makes a huge mess with art supplies - he makes a mistake so he erases it and it makes a hole. He uses spray paint. He gets himself covered in paint. My mom remembers something about his paw print and getting in trouble.

It is NOT the book - I checked that one at the library today. The librarian vaguely remembered the one I was talking about, but couldn't remember the title either.

Please help me! This would mean so much to me!

[Cathy]

Could it be another book by the same author? I found this one by Alan Baker: Benjamin's Book. "A hamster's efforts to remove his paw print from a blank page of a book prove unsuccessful."

Or could it have been a mouse?

[Stephanie]

THAT IS IT! Thank you thank you thank you! I have been looking for two days and because I could never find an image of the book I didn't recognize it. My library didn't have this one. After 20 more minutes of hunting, it has been confirmed!

Rejoicing! Off to buy!

[Cathy]

You're very welcome!