Status
Checked out
Due 2024-04-20
Collection
Publication
Tundra Books (2018), Edition: Reissue, 30 pages
Description
"Sam just got a hamster for a pet. But the hamster is kind of boring ... he just eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. Inspired by her book of mythological creatures, Sam longs for a more exciting pet. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she thought. Sasquatches are messy, unicorns are shy, gryphons scare the dogs at the dogpark, and having a fire extinguisher handy at all times makes dragons seem like an awful lot of work. In the end, Sam realizes that her hamster is a pretty sweet and safe pet ... or is he?" -- Amazon.
User reviews
LibraryThing member aethercowboy
In If I Had a Gryphon, written by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Cale Atkinson, Sam is presented with a new hamster pet. However, this pet is not everything's cracked up to be, so Sam speculates on how much better certain mythological creatures and cryptids would be instead of this hamster, only
I enjoyed this story (though my child did not, especially the Manticore part), finding the poetry to be a breath of fresh air in a sea of choppy one-sentence lines that I've seen all too often in children's poetry of late. The illustrations too were cute (though, I agree with my daughter that the Manticore was a bit much). I'd say short of the Manticore part (which is pretty gross), my next biggest complaint is how Atkinson drew the chupacabra, which looks nothing like a real chupacabra. Well, you know what I mean.
If you want a cute story that shows a variety of mythical creatures, and also teaches a valuable lesson of being grateful for what you have, If I Had a Grypton can do just that.
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to realize, that while fantastic beasts may be fantastic, they have their own particularly special needs, whereas hamsters do not.I enjoyed this story (though my child did not, especially the Manticore part), finding the poetry to be a breath of fresh air in a sea of choppy one-sentence lines that I've seen all too often in children's poetry of late. The illustrations too were cute (though, I agree with my daughter that the Manticore was a bit much). I'd say short of the Manticore part (which is pretty gross), my next biggest complaint is how Atkinson drew the chupacabra, which looks nothing like a real chupacabra. Well, you know what I mean.
If you want a cute story that shows a variety of mythical creatures, and also teaches a valuable lesson of being grateful for what you have, If I Had a Grypton can do just that.
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LibraryThing member LiteraryChanteuse
For all of those kids who love fantasy creatures and wish they were real (my kids included) this is the book for you. Gorgeous illustrations and a fun tale to follow along with. Also a reminder to those with pets that they should be cherished even if they aren't the fantasy ones we wish were real.
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Great childrens book!!! I received a copy in exchange for an honest review via Librarything early reviewers. Show Less
LibraryThing member sylliu
A fun, rhyming story about a boy who wants a pet that is more exotic and thrilling than his hamster. He goes through the list of mythological creatures such as gryphon, hippogriff, sasquatch, kraken, unicorn, and more, but remembers the downsides of having such pets (too many teeth, underwater,
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etc.). I really enjoyed this because I'm such a geeky fan of all these creatures, and I even learned about one I didn't know (kirin). Show Less
LibraryThing member evilmoose
Great illustrations and a really fun bedtime read. We had a blast with this tale of possible pets, the colours are bright and the illustrations are fun.
LibraryThing member alsvidur
A little girl is unhappy with the idea of her hamster as a pet. She would much rather have fantastical beasts. But fantastic beasts have bigger drawbacks than she wants to deal with.
It's a really cute idea. I was a little sad that the verses at the end went faster and faster instead of being a
It's a really cute idea. I was a little sad that the verses at the end went faster and faster instead of being a
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longer book. The illustrations were funny and bright. Show Less
LibraryThing member C.Ibarra
This is a new favorite for both me and my little ones. A great introduction to mythical creatures. And a great variety of them! What pet would you choose? The "boring" pet or something more exotic? I'd totally pick the unicorn :) We loved this. It was so much fun to read and the illustrations are
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so pretty. This story can lead to great discussions about favorite pets and why some might not be the best choice. This is a keeper :) Show Less
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
A young girl finds her new pet hamster rather boring in this delightful new picture-book from author Vikki VanSickle and illustrator Cale Atkinson. "If only I could have a pet / With strange, exotic powers, / I know that I'd find lots to do / To while away the hours," she muses, going on to
With a rhyming text that scans well and has a rollicking rhythm, and charming illustrations that capture the color and magic of the creatures being imagined by the girl narrator, If I Had a Gryphon would make an excellent read-aloud selection. Children who enjoy reading about fantastical creatures, from gryphons to hippogriffs, will be particularly pleased with this selection, although they may be surprised at the sweet ending, in which the girl is reconciled to the idea of having a hamster as a pet. I appreciated the very end, in which the plump little hamster starts dressing up as the creatures in the little girl's book. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with rhyming text, or featuring imaginative children.
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consider all the magical creatures she might have as a companion. Although concentrating on the pleasures involved in consorting with such creatures at first, she also begins to consider the drawbacks, from the legendary shyness of unicorns to the many fires started by dragons. Eventually she concludes that her hamster is just right...With a rhyming text that scans well and has a rollicking rhythm, and charming illustrations that capture the color and magic of the creatures being imagined by the girl narrator, If I Had a Gryphon would make an excellent read-aloud selection. Children who enjoy reading about fantastical creatures, from gryphons to hippogriffs, will be particularly pleased with this selection, although they may be surprised at the sweet ending, in which the girl is reconciled to the idea of having a hamster as a pet. I appreciated the very end, in which the plump little hamster starts dressing up as the creatures in the little girl's book. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with rhyming text, or featuring imaginative children.
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LibraryThing member welburr
This book is so much fun!! A young girl explores what would happen if she had a magical creature for a pet, rather than just a boring old hamster. It is fun to learn about the different magical creatures and see how they would impact her life. The illustrations are terrific and the storyline is
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super fun!! Show Less
LibraryThing member melodyreads
great rhyme, and fanciful pets
LibraryThing member ciyoda
I thought that this was a really cute little book! I read it to my class and they laughed the whole book!
LibraryThing member SESchend
Cute book for kids to learn mythological critters in an engaging way.
LibraryThing member bucketofrhymes
A sweet book about the positives and negatives of magical -- and not-so-magical -- pets. With its perfect rhyme and rhythm and its lovely illustrations, this is a barrel of fun.
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Got this today and after I opened the package I stood and read it!
Vikki Vansickle has created an entertaining and rhythmic read. I read it to myself, but when I read it to the great-grans I know it will be a blast. The tempo has a great bounce to it. The words trip off your tongue.
Cale Atkinson's
The little girl who tells the tale is not that enthusiastic about her new pet hamster. Just seems to sleep all day and do nothing. Thinking about a more exotic and unusual pet she ticks off the various animals, their good point and bad. It is humorous and entertaining. I think kids of any age will get a kick out of this book.
Vikki Vansickle has created an entertaining and rhythmic read. I read it to myself, but when I read it to the great-grans I know it will be a blast. The tempo has a great bounce to it. The words trip off your tongue.
Cale Atkinson's
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art work is rich in colour and is entertaining to see. The expressions given to the little girl as she experiences her choices in pets is amusing at least. The figures do move on the page, visually.The little girl who tells the tale is not that enthusiastic about her new pet hamster. Just seems to sleep all day and do nothing. Thinking about a more exotic and unusual pet she ticks off the various animals, their good point and bad. It is humorous and entertaining. I think kids of any age will get a kick out of this book.
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LibraryThing member jennparm
This is a sweet book with absolutely adorable illustrations, and I loved the kid-friendly introduction to some of the lesser-known mythical beasts! My two year old easily sat through the entire book on our first reading of it this evening, and I have a feeling it will be a go-to bedtime book in our
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house. Show Less
LibraryThing member g33kgrrl
I love this book! It's structured as a standard "be happy with what you have" but the tour of imaginary pets and their unfortunate downsides is quite funny. Plus, I love the art. I'm looking forward to eating this one with my 2-year-old tonight to see what she thinks.
LibraryThing member Autolykos
A wonderful kids book about choosing a pet, and why simpler is often better. Any preschool child will love it. It has gorgeous illustrations as well.
LibraryThing member TheLoopyLibrarian
As a Harry Potter geek, I couldn't help but enjoy this story with its parade of mythological creatures. The illustrations were colorful, humorous, and lively, and the accompanying text was rhythmic and fun. I appreciate the large board book format for younger readers. The only problem I had was in
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pronouncing the names of some of the lesser known creatures. I would have to Google the pronunciations before I read this book aloud in story time. Still I look forward to sharing this book with children. Show Less
LibraryThing member KallieGrace
This book is a lot of fun, it introduces mythical creatures to children in a fun and colorful way. The child imagines having each creature as a pet and then imagines the potential downfalls of having to take care of them. There were a couple of creatures I wasn't familiar with, so I even learned
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something! Show Less
LibraryThing member sszkutak
A book that rhymes calls to me... as this one did. I read this hilarious and wonderful board book to my dog (yes I am a weirdo) but kids books should be read aloud, so that is what I did. My husband was around as well. Both really enjoyed this book and as the reader I think I enjoyed it even more.
The book is about a little girl who has a hamster but wants a more exotic pet and as she goes through all the fun options she realizes that a hamster might not be so bad. The book is a wonderful collection of rhymes and also introduces your little ones to the amazing world of fantasy beasts which is so much fun.
I fully expect some little ones to ask more about all the creatures, but I think that added element could be fun too. If you are a parent who likes fantastical beasts, this book would be so fun in your household.
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The book is about a little girl who has a hamster but wants a more exotic pet and as she goes through all the fun options she realizes that a hamster might not be so bad. The book is a wonderful collection of rhymes and also introduces your little ones to the amazing world of fantasy beasts which is so much fun.
I fully expect some little ones to ask more about all the creatures, but I think that added element could be fun too. If you are a parent who likes fantastical beasts, this book would be so fun in your household.
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LibraryThing member aratiel
This charming, hilarious story (now in board book format) features a little girl who wants a pet that's slightly more exciting than her hamster. She imagines having a pet gryphon, unicorn, and manticore, as well as many other mythological creatures. In the end she decides that the care and
The rhymes and plot of this kids' story are great, but it's the details in the illustrations that really make it funny. I loved the zany chupacabra, the gleeful expressions on the fairies' faces as they wreaked havoc, and the scared kelpies who wouldn't come out of the closet. These monsters are silly, not scary, and are sure to have both caregivers and children laughing!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and LibraryThing for the advanced copy of this board book!*
*This did not affect my review or rating.
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maintenance of these pets would be a bit more than she can handle, and that her hamster is just fine. The rhymes and plot of this kids' story are great, but it's the details in the illustrations that really make it funny. I loved the zany chupacabra, the gleeful expressions on the fairies' faces as they wreaked havoc, and the scared kelpies who wouldn't come out of the closet. These monsters are silly, not scary, and are sure to have both caregivers and children laughing!
Thank you to Penguin Random House and LibraryThing for the advanced copy of this board book!*
*This did not affect my review or rating.
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LibraryThing member IamAleem
The original classic re-released as a board book
This lovely rhyming title is full of wonderful colourful illustrations...
I will be passing this on to my nephew who will surely adore it!
This lovely rhyming title is full of wonderful colourful illustrations...
I will be passing this on to my nephew who will surely adore it!
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
Sam has a pet hamster, a boring old hamster. She wants a more exciting pet. She does her research using a book of Mythological beasts, but she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she thought. Everyone of them has a flaw, shy unicorns, hairy sasquatch,
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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scary hippogryff and more. She decides that her hamster is just what she wants, he is hers and she is his. A great message for kids who want a pet as well as an interesting introduction into mythological creatures. A great book for school, classroom and community libraries.I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member philae_02
If I Had a Gryphon is a sweet story about a little girl named Sam, who has a pet hamster. But her hamster -- is well -- rather boring. Sam begins to compare her hamster to all the mythical beasts in her book. But she quickly realizes that having an exotic pet isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
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And in the end, she decides that the hamster is actually the perfect pet for her. This sweet story would be ideal for younger audiences, especially if they have been asking for a pet. Show Less
LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle is a children's book about a child, Sam, that gets a hamster but wishes for a more exciting animal. Sam starts weighing the pros and cons of each mythological beast in Sam's book. There is some very interesting animals and situations that Sam imagines and
I received this book for a honest review from NetGalley and it in no way effects my rating or review content.
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finally settles on the hamster. The end has a twist and it is cute. A fun little book with great art work.I received this book for a honest review from NetGalley and it in no way effects my rating or review content.
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LibraryThing member AnnaWaffles
I suspect this one is more for parents than for kids. Cute, but a little above their heads.
Awards
Blue Spruce Award (Nominee — 2017)
Chocolate Lily Reader's Choice Awards (Nominee — Picture Book — 2018)
The Willow Awards (Finalist — 2017)
Iowa Goldfinch Award (Nominee — 2020)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Kids (Picture Books — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780735264656