Beware of tin baths containing electronic equipment
I am not the target audience for this one, but, like I think many really excellent books for children, it certainly appeals to the inner child of this adult. And I suspect it also appeals to the inner adult of a child!
Albert Einstein Hawking Chaudhury (Al) our twelve year old narrator lives in Northumberland, with his mum, his stepdad Steve, and his stepsister from hell, Carly, who is definitely not emo, but is a goth. Nearby lives Al’s wonderfully eccentric grandpa, Grandpa Byron.
When Al was 8, his father (Byron’s son Pythagoras, Pye) died suddenly, aged 39. We don’t get to find out exactly how and why, initially. Some time later Al’s mum got together with Steve (whose wife had died from cancer). Steve is a good man, though rather dull, and tries really hard to be a replacement dad for Al. But he can’t really come close, because Pye was a wonderfully eccentric and interesting man. For a start, it turned out that he built a time machine, and wrote a letter before he died, to be delivered to Al on his twelfth birthday. And what he wants Al to do is to find the hidden time machine, travel back in time and prevent Pye from dying. Full instructions will be given.
Meanwhile, apart from the unexpected birthday present of a letter written by his dead father, Al has a more conventional present of a football shirt for Newcastle United from Steve (Al hates football) and a more appreciated present of a hamster from his mum (the one in the book’s title) At least Steve suggests a name for the hamster which Al thinks is actually better than what HE would have thought of (Hammy or Fluffy) Al has no idea who Alan Shearer is, but it seems a mite more hamster original than Hammy or Fluffy.
A lot of the book is involved in explaining Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and his Special Theory of Relativity, and how time travel might or might not work. This is done in an amusing and interesting way so that not only eight to twelve year olds but even adults without advanced qualifications in physics and maths might become a little the wiser.
Commodore 64 computer, 1982
This most enjoyable, page-turning, warm-hearted and funny book is about a lot more than time travel however. There’s a lot of emotional learning happens in the story, about love, loss, death, adventure, how to deal with bullies, friendships, not to mention the surprising relationships which become possible if you can time travel backwards and get to meet your relatives when they were younger.
Al, Grandpa Byron, Pye, and even Carly the Stepsister From Hell, not to mention Alan Shearer, are delightful companions for this journey, and I recommend this book most highly, not just to the target audience (probably 8-12 +, and especially boys as Al will be a wonderful peer to identify with) but also to those well past the age of 8-12 and of female gender. And, of course, to hamsters. Hamsters are Heroes!
I was lucky enough to request and receive this as a digital copy 
for review purposes from the Publisher It is author Ross Welford’s first book. I look forward to more!
Time Travelling With A Hamster Amazon UK
Unfortunately this is not available in the States till the Autumn – except as audible/audio book
Time Travelling With A Hamster Amazon USA
You could always order it as a wood book from the UK site! Or go for Audible
(I reckon this to be the most appealing, adorable, melt-the-heart and compulsive viewing post I have ever made. A hamster wrapped in a cuddle blanket filmed at a ridiculously sympatico angle, endlessly chewing on an everlasting carrot slice, clutched in its tiny paws takes some beating. Come on, let me hear you all say Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! Even a winsome kitten or twelve would find it hard to beat this one.)
Lady Fancifull 
Aaaaaahhhhhh! I think my younger son would love the book too, not just the gif. He loves cuddly animals and physics.
I think it will be a wonderful book, especially for boys, Marina
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! It reminds me of my little Jerry – my first ever and most beloved pet! As you can tell from his name, I really needed someone around to suggest more original names… I could spend the next hour or two telling you Jerry-related stories, but I’ll spare you!
Go on, then, explain the Special Theory of Relativity…
Ooh, a clever bluff call. I think you need to find a twelve year old who has read the book in order to be sure of this
Or an educated hamster…
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Hamster to die for!
That’s what I like, a variation in extended hamster induced vowel sounds. Was that the E an octave above middle C?
Dunno – but it was very high pitched!!!
Yes, yes, yes!!! This one is going to the top of my son’s TBR pile, although in audible format. And I may sneak a listen, too. Who can resist a furry critter chewing on a carrot!?
I know, he’s adorable. Sadly the cats would not be tempted by carrots and chewing on a lump of animal isn’t so pretty
Adorable! The little paws – cuuuuuuuute! I’m not the target audience for this book but I may well read it because I have never, ever remotely understood physics.
I reckon novels for children ( if well written) are the most enjoyable learning tool for big children (!) The Gombrich history book I read last year was fabulous. I’ve now got Andrew Marr’s similar subject history of the whole world from prehistory) patiently waiting on the TBR, but I think I’m probably really aged around 10-12, so jump eagerly into books written for that age by a writer who can do it without talking down
Definitely cute!
I predict hamster sales will rise with the popularity of this book. With the rise of needing everything small and portable, watching tv on phone Tec, hamsters will be popped into (air-vented) handbags and taken to work. Every desk will have a PC and a hamster.
In case you missed the announcement I have a grandson arriving around the end of March this year and so I have a new interest in children’s books- though it may be a little while before he appreciates being read to I believe reading to an infant even at a very early age is good for language and and communication development ( and bonding)- so a book that can interest my inner child will have many benefits 🙂
Oh, congratulations for March! As infants in the womb hear what is happening in the world outside reading aloud is an excellent activity. Mmm , interesting thought around the rhythms of storytelling, and why its a relaxing activity to listen to, even if the story is dramatic – its a legato rhythm, compared to the staccato of conversation. It occurs to me that reading aloud by the parents of the child in the womb would again give a prolonged exposure to the speech and rhythm patterns, and the tones, of their voices, so that would give, I guess, an early imprint of ‘safety’ and familiarity associated with those voices, once the neonate is presented with the confusing cacophony of sounds from outside the maternal nest, once he has emerged!
Exactly!
I really like books for younger readers that encourage both science and a sense of wonder. This sounds like it would be a great read for kids! I always tended to read about angry girls, like in The Great Gilly Hopkins or Bridge to Terabithia. I’m sure I could have used some science in my life!
Yes, this is not ‘science lite’ but it is ‘science engaging’