In this delightful story, a taxi driver finds a hamster in the back of his cab. After he reports his discovery to the cab company’s Lost and Found Department, he takes the hamster to his apartment to care for it until the rightful owner claims it. Living alone, far from his home and family in Tel Aviv, Edgar feeds and nurtures the creature, which he eventually names Chickpea. He celebrates Hanukkah with his tiny friend, and as the nights of the holiday pass, with no one claiming the hamster, the relationship between the two continues to build.
André Ceolin’s beautiful illustrations, featuring twinkling lights and diverse characters, add to the charm.
Sandy Lanton, a former teacher, earned a BA in Psychology and an MS in Early Childhood Education from Queens College. She is the author of Daddy’s Chair (Sydney Taylor Award), The Happy Hackers, Lots Of Latkes, Still a Family: A Young Child’s Book About Divorce (Gittle Honorable Mention), and The Littlest Levine (named one of the best Jewish Children’s Books of 2014 by Tablet Magazine). Her work has appeared in magazines as well as several anthologies. When she isn’t writing stories or visiting schools, Ms. Lanton likes to crochet, line dance, play bridge and pickleball, spend time with her grandchildren, and read, read, read.
