Betty G. Birney
Dr. Drew’s Hamster Care Quiz
Dr. Melissa Drew is a GREAT-GREAT-GREAT veterinarian who knows lots about taking care of hamsters. See if you’d make a good hamster vet, too, by answering these True-False questions.
1. If your hamster bites you, you should punish it.
2. Hamsters are vegetarians and don’t like meat.
3. Hamsters don’t like to be petted.
4. Hamsters don’t really like to be around other hamsters.
5. It’s important to bathe your hamster frequently.
6. The best way to pick up a hamster is by the back of its neck.
7. A hamster lies on its back when it wants you to pet it.
8. Hamster cages should not be put in direct sunlight.
9. You should cut your hamster’s food into tiny pieces.
10. Hamsters groom themselves to keep their fur in good shape.
11. Hamsters like to eat mealworms.
12. There is nothing hamsters can’t eat.
Turn to page 181 for Humphrey’s answers to this quiz!
Dr. Drew’s Tips on How to Hold a Hamster
• Hold the hamster in one hand and place your other hand above it to create a comfy pocket. This makes hamsters feel secure.
• Make sure your grip isn’t so strong that you squeeze the hamster. But your grip should be firm enough that the hamster feels secure.
• When you pick up a hamster, do it over a table or soft surface. If you drop it, the hamster will be safe. Many hamsters have been seriously harmed by being dropped to the floor. You don’t want this to happen.
Humphrey and Friends Crossword Puzzle
Across
1. Custodian
5. Garth
6. Hamster
8. Teacher
Down
2. School
3. Frog
4. Giggles
6. Raise-Your-Hand
7. Golden
9. Sit-Still
Turn to page 182 for the answer key!
Humphrey’s Big Adventure
Find these hidden words
Turn to page 182 for the answer key!
Humphrey’s Lock Ladder
A word ladder is a FUN-FUN-FUN puzzle that is said to have been invented by Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. The object of the game is to convert one word into another by changing one letter at a time, making a new word at each step. For example, here’s how to change a CAT into a DOG:
1. CAT
2. COT
3. DOT (Note, step 3 could also be COG.)
4. DOG
Now it’s time for you to try Humphrey’s Lock Ladder! Sometimes Humphrey likes to open his cage using the lock-that-doesn’t-lock and get to take a walk. Can you change a lock into a walk?
Note: There are a number of ways to solve this problem.
Turn to page 182 for the answer key!
Scrambled Train Cars
Art’s train cars are loaded up with phrases … but the words and syllables are out of order. Can you put the cars in the right order and find the hidden phrase in each row?
Turn to page 182 for the answer key!
Humphrey’s Amazing Train Ride
Can you help Humphrey find his way in and out of the tracks?
Turn to page 183 for the answer key!
Questions for Readers
Jobs and Community
• In the story, the students of Room 26 build a model community called Humphreyville. Have you ever wondered where town names come from? Where did the name of your town come from? The name of your street? What do you think would be a better name for your street?
• If you were going to build a street from scratch, what would you name it? Why? What would it look like? Describe it in words or draw it.
• What is the tallest building in your community? What is the oldest building? What is the newest building? And finally, what is your favorite building in your community?
• Go through the local newspaper’s classified ads and see what kinds of jobs are available. Are there any jobs you think you’d like to do? Why?
• Try writing your own Help Wanted ad. Write one for the job of a classroom hamster. Describe all of the jobs Humphrey does in Room 26. Write an ad for your dream job. What are the qualifications for a job you think you’d like?
• Ask your parents, grandparents, and other friends and relatives what was the best job they ever had. What was the worst job they ever had? Why did they like or not like their job?
Art and Paul
• Art is really good at imagining things such as his dream house and the railroad tracks in his bedroom. Paul is really good at understanding numbers and math. How did Paul’s math skills help Art solve a problem, and how could Art’s creativity help Paul?
• Not everybody likes the same subject. Take a poll of your classmates and/or friends and find out each person’s favorite subject. Then make a class graph with each student’s most favorite and least favorite subjects. Ask people why they feel the way they do about their most favorite and least favorite subjects.
• Did you ever try something and think you weren’t good at it the first time but later became good at it? What made the difference?
• Draw a track for a model train layout. Could a train really follow this track? Add other features: a waterfall, a lake, tunnels, a town. Can you turn your drawing into a board game? How would you do that?
The Paynes
• Mandy Payne’s family is upset because her dad lost his job and her mom has to work a lot. What are some of the things that make each of the Paynes cranky? What are some things that make your family members cranky? What do you do to cheer them up? What do you do to cheer yourself up?
Miranda’s Problem
• Humphrey didn’t squeak up to clear Miranda’s name right away because he was afraid his lock would be locked for good (and because he can’t talk). Have you ever felt guilty about someone else taking the blame that belonged to you (or felt afraid to admit to something that was your fault)? How did that work out?
• Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? How did you feel? How did the problem work out?
• Was Mrs. Brisbane wrong to accuse Miranda of leaving the cage door open?
• How well do you think Miranda handled the problem? Is there anything else she could have done?
Dr. Drew
• Humphrey is nervous when he visits the veterinarian for the first time because he’s never been to a doctor before. Can you remember a time when you were nervous about going somewhere for the first time? How did it turn out?
• Different pets need different types of care. If you have a pet, what are ten important things to know about caring for that animal? (If you need help, check out a book in the library, go on the Internet, or ask a veterinarian.) If you don’t have a pet, pick an animal you like or write down what is important to know about taking care of Humphrey. (For some hints, check out the chapter endings in the first book, The World According to Humphrey.)
• What is a pet you don’t have but think you’d like to own? On a piece of paper, make two columns. List the advantages of having such a pet on one side. List the disadvantages of having that pet on the other side. Which list is longer?
• Did you ever want a certain pet and your parents said no? Why do you think they said no?
Grandma Dot
• Seth’s grandmother can remember her town before a lot of modern changes were made. Ask adults in your area (teacher, parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbors) what changes they’ve seen in your community. What buildings now exist that weren’t there when they were growing up? What things are gone that they miss? What changes do they see as being good? What changes do they see as being bad?
• If you could see into the future, what might your school look like in 25 years? In 100 years? How about your street? What changes would you like to see?
Answers According to Humphrey<
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Humphrey’s Answers to Dr. Drew’s Hamster Care Quiz
1. False. NO-NO-NO! Hamsters often bite when threatened. If your hamster bites you, perhaps you picked it up awkwardly, squeezed it too tightly, or moved too quickly. Punishment would do no good and would make the animal even more excited, so please be kind. Especially to me!
2. False. We hamsters love—and need—a wide variety of yummy things to eat, including a little lean raw meat (preferably ground beef) once or twice a week.
3. False. Are you kidding? Of course we love to be petted! But not all the time. It’s best to pet us when we’re wide awake, usually in the evening. (It’s not a good idea to wake up a hamster—even during a spelling test!) And as much as we like a little petting, we’re not toys to be carried around all the time. Hey, I need my rest so I can help my friends.
4. True. Hamsters are loners when it comes to other hamsters, although I did enjoy getting to know Winky! But NEVER-NEVER-NEVER put two hamsters in the same cage. Never.
5. False. Don’t bathe your hamster. Water is bad for us! Besides, we’re extremely good at keeping ourselves clean with our intricate grooming routines. And it’s fun to watch us groom.
6. False. EEEK! These questions are making me jittery! Do not pick up a hamster by the back of its neck unless you want an unpleasant surprise. (See Dr. Drew’s tips on the right way to do it.)
7. False. WRONG-WRONG-WRONG. When a hamster lies on its back, it’s trying to tell you it’s scared; and if you approach it, it might bite you. When you think someone is about to hurt you, what do you do?
8. True. Hamsters don’t do well in sunlight. We like shady, leafy places.
9. False. Don’t bother. We’re so good at chewing and breaking down food, we can eat things that are almost as big as we are. (And don’t forget, we like to save food in our cheek pouches or in hidden places in our cages.)
10. True. No wonder we’re so handsome!
11. True. Yummers. I don’t know why humans think they’re yucky. I’ll bet they’ve never tried them.
12. False. On the one paw, hamsters can eat a wide range of foods, including fruits, veggies, yogurt, cheese, and meat … and we like a lot of variety, too. But raw beans, potato eyes, and canned or frozen foods are not for us. Neither are pickles, alcohol, or toffee!
Answer Key
HUMPHREY AND FRIENDS CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Across 1. Aldo, 5. Tugwell, 6. Humphrey, 8. Brisbane
Down 2. Longfellow, 3. Og, 4. Gail, 6. Heidi, 7. Miranda, 9. Seth
HUMPHREY’S BIG ADVENTURE
HUMPHREY’S LOCK LADDER
LOCK-LACK-TACK-TALK-WALK; LOCK-TOCK-TACK-TALK-WALK … and others
SCRAMBLED TRAIN CARS
STAY OUT OF TROUBLE
SIT STILL SETH STEVENSON
LOCK THAT DOESN’T LOCK
DON’T COMPLAIN MANDY PAYNE
WINKY IS MY HAMSTER FRIEND
MIRANDA GOLDEN IS INNOCENT
Humphrey’s Amazing Train Ride
Trouble According to Humphrey Page 13
