About This Book

Watch Hot Rod Hamster book trailer

"Old car, new car, shiny painted blue car. Rust car, clean car, itty-bitty green car."

Which would you choose?

Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord and New York Times bestselling illustrator Derek Anderson put the pedal to the metal in this endearing, rhythmic, rip-roaring race to the finish line where a hamster creates a sizzling hot rod with a little help from his new furry friends and you!

Praise for Hot Rod Hamster

"Newbery Honor author Lord’s picture-book debut is a rollicking, roaring read.Anderson's fluffy, jaunty illustrations are as full of energy as the rhymes. Young car enthusiasts won’t be the only ones enamored of this hot-rodding rodent and his big canine buddy." — Kirkus Reviews

"The metallic cover of Lord’s first picture book, along with the image of the hamster hero waving a checkered flag, will draw readers inside this clever, rhythmic story. Full of entertaining details..." — Publishes Weekly

"...young readers will love helping the irrepressible hamster build his dream car. Their hands will dart up immediately when they hear the refrain, 'Which one would you choose?'" — School Library Journal

About the Authors or Illustrators

Cynthia Lord

Cynthia Lord's debut novel Rules, is a book about a twelve-year-old named Catherine just who has an autistic brother. Her latest book is Hot Rod Hamster, a rhythmic, rip-roaring read-aloud about a hamster who puts the pedal to the metal.

Read more >

Derek Anderson

Derek Anderson was born and raised in Iowa. He is the award-winning illustrator of the bestselling "Little Quack" books by Lauren Thompson and "Hot Rod Hamster" by Cynthia Lord. He lives in Minneapolis, MN.

Read more >