Whiskerella Page 7

  “I want you to know that I don’t love you any more as a hamster than a quail,” said the hamster king. “Or any less. I mean, whichever you want to be.”

  “It’s okay, Dad,” said Harriet. She patted him on the arm. “Err . . . thank you?”

  “You should have some of these sandwiches,” said the king. “They’re only a little squashed.”

  Harriet took a sandwich. The bread was a little squishy, but the cucumber was as crisp as ever.

  “I also don’t care if you ever get married,” said the king. “To a prince or anybody else. You’ll still be my favorite daughter.”

  “I’m your only daughter,” said Harriet.

  “So you know I’m telling the truth.”

  They sat in the ruined ballroom together, munching companionably, while the sun rose once more over the hamster kingdom, and, somewhere, another adventure.

  ABOUT the AUTHOR

  Ursula Vernon (www.ursulavernon.com) is an award-winning author and illustrator whose work has won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award, and been nominated for the World Fantasy Award and an Eisner. She loves birding, gardening, and spunky heroines. She is the first to admit that she would make a terrible princess.

  HARRIET HAMSTERBONE IS A STAR!

  “Move over, Babymouse, there’s a new rodent in town!”

  —School Library Journal, starred review

  “Harriet is her own hamster, but she takes her place proudly alongside both Danny Dragonbreath and Babymouse. Creatively fresh and feminist, with laughs on every single page.”

  —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

  “A book with all the makings of a hit. Readers will be laughing themselves silly.”

  —Publishers Weekly, starred review

  “A joy to read, and we can only hope that Harriet—long may she reign—will return in later installments.”

  —Booklist, starred review

  “Maintaining a keen balance between silly and sly, this sequel will have readers snickering.”

  —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

  “As hilarious as it is fun. Make room on the shelves for this not so frilly princess.”

  —School Library Journal, starred review

  “Harriet is as delightful as ever. . . . As long as Vernon keeps Harriet’s adventures coming, fans new and old are bound to keep reading them.”

  —Booklist

  “This is vintage Vernon. Clever wordplay, wonderful character banter, and stinky humor make this outing another giant success.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

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