The Hamster Ballet Company

""The Hamster Ballet Company owes everything to its founder, that extraordinary entrepreneur, Igor Gregorevich Hamster.'' So opens this book, which some will regard as a mock recording of a fictional corps de ballet and others will take as fact. The elegant color plates show members of the company dancing famous roles: hamster Andre Balakov performs a pas de deux as the Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty, and ``his elevation is unbelievable.'' There are moments from Les Sylphides, Giselle, Petrouchka and others. The droll text reads like opening night reviews yet imparts information about ballet. Parents and young readers will find many things to love; the chubby-cheeked hamsters are charming, in tutu or otherwise. (All ages)