Charlie Hits it Big    by Deborah Blumenthal & Denise Brunkus Order:  USA  Can HarperCollins, 2008 (2008) Hardcover     Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch The message of this picture book is: there's no place like home. Charlie is a guinea pig who is loved by his owner, Sophie. His life is comfortable, but he has always had a dream of being a Hollywood star. He follows his dream and successfully auditions for a part in a show. Charlie succeeds beyond his wildest dreams, meeting all sorts of Hollywood types. Soon, though, he realizes he misses his family and the Pet Food Emporium back home (which offers a tempting fruity-nut buffet). Charlie soon leaves it all behind and returns home, and is lovingly accepted back into the arms of Sophie. The drawings are bold and rich, and they carry the story, which, despite its positive message, falls slightly flat in the telling. However, Charlie Hits it Big would still appeal to any dream-seeking child. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews