Merry Christmas, Splat (Splat the Cat) [Hardcover]

Rob Scotton (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 22, 2009 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Splat the Cat | Lexile Measure: 460L (What's this?)

It's the night before Christmas, and Splat wonders if he's been a good enough cat this year to deserve a really big present. Just to make sure, he offers some last-minute help to his mom and, in typical Splat fashion, he messes up completely! That night Splat stays awake hoping to see Santa Claus. But when Splat misses him, he's sure his Christmas is ruined—along with his hopes for a really big present. . . .

Everyone's favorite furry cat is back in a Christmas story perfect for any child anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In Splat the Cat’s latest adventure, he once again messes up while trying to be good and follow rules. This time, it is Christmas Eve, and Splat dreams about his presents, but his scowling sister suggests that he has not been good enough to please Santa. Splat tries to correct the situation by washing the dishes, decorating the tree, and clearing the snow, but he only creates chaos, and he falls asleep feeling sure that Santa will ignore him. The farcical story, filled with pictures of black, fuzzy Splat in holiday settings, will grab kids as the tension builds to the surprising end. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Hazel Rochman

Review

Praise for 'Merry Christmas, Splat': "Splat fans will love the combination of chaos and anxiety created by this lovavle character who wears his well-meaning heart on his furry sleeve." Daily Mail "Beautifully illustrated, perfect for pre-schoolers" The Sun Praise for 'Love, Splat': "This heart-warming story should melt even the flintiest cynic. Scotton's frenetic illustrations are spot on and vivid enough to stroke. Buy this book for anyone you 'like more than fish fingers and ice-cream'..." Daily Mail Praise for 'Russell the Sheep': 'Russell the Sheep is completely engaging and bound to become a star of the future.' The Bookseller 'This is the delicious tale of a sheep who can't sleep.' Daily Express --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006083160X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060831608
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rob Scotton is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Russell the Sheep and Russell and the Lost Treasure. His work can also be found on greeting cards, ceramics, textiles, prints, stationery, and glassware. An honors graduate of Leicester Polytechnic, Rob now lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read November 10, 2009

By J. Hathaway

Format:Hardcover

It's a cute little story about Splat questioning whether he has been good enough for Santa to bring him the big gift that he wants for Christmas. Because of this, he has trouble falling asleep on Christmas eve and spends the night watching for Santa hoping to see if he gets the gift.

My 4-1/2 year old daughter likes Rob Scotton's books in general. And while she was most amused by Splat's attempts to help his mom and redeem himself in the eyes of Santa, she prefers the story in Russell's Christmas Magic. That said: I love the author's work and think that his illustrations are among the best in children's picture books today.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Are You Sure You've Been Good? December 5, 2009

By Jenna Glatzer TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

(Reviewed for Punnybop)

In this latest book of the Splat the Cat series, Splat writes out his Christmas list for Santa: he wants a really big present. That's all he specifies. But his little sister gives him a "look" and asks, "Are you sure you've been good?" Of course he's sure! Well, almost sure. Just to be extra sure, he volunteers to help with all the Christmas preparations. He washes the dishes (which were already clean), redecorates the tree (which has already been decorated just fine), and other such "helpful" tasks.

Then he tries to go to sleep, but is filled with anxiety--- maybe he should stay up and tell Santa what a good cat he's been, just in case Santa doesn't realize it.

In the end, he awakes to find no presents under the tree, and he fears he wasn't good enough, after all--- but his family pops out from behind the tree with a big box just for Splat. He says it's the best Christmas present ever, though we never see what it is; that's left up to kids' imagination.

The book is recommended for 4-8-year-olds, but my 2 1/2-year-old loved it, and so did I.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Toddlers and Kindergartners in prep for the holidays October 27, 2010

By Sherry J. Prescott

Format:Hardcover

This is a delightful book and is perfect for getting children ready for Santa and the holidays. The illustrations are unique and funny, and my kids really enjoyed all the artwork details of the cats presented in the story. Our two-year old constantly points to new details on each page such as the little sister's kitty-doll and other very amusing features of the characters. The concept behind "being good" for Santa is a great one to talk about with your child, and it's fun to watch what Splat does at home to get goodie points for Santa. I don't know who enjoys this story more--the parents in our house or the kids!Market This!: An Effective 90-Day Marketing Tool