Splat the Cat (Hardcover)

by Rob Scotton (Author, Illustrator)
Key Phrases: Cat School

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2—Fans of Scotton's Russell the Sheep will immediately recognize the offbeat humor in Splat the Cat. The fuzzy black feline is worried about his first day of school, and despite determined attempts to avoid the inevitable, he ends up there. School is a combination of fantastic revelations and baffling mysteries. Most puzzling of all for Splat is the news that cats chase mice. He does not chase mice. In fact, he has a pet mouse whom he has packed in his lunchbox because he wants a friend with him on his first day. The sight of the mouse causes chaos, but proves fortuitous when Seymour saves the day by crawling through a small hole to unlock the milk pantry. Cheered by the fact that school is, in fact, wonderful, Splat excitedly returns on the second day. This lighthearted story, told with a generous helping of humor and goofy characterizations, will have broad appeal. The backgrounds are full of great details, like the fish-bone wallpaper in Splat's room and one of his classmates clutching a Russell the Sheep doll. There is something new to find with each reading. The use of monochrome in the illustrations, with a touch of color here and there, emphasizes the idea of school as a place of uniformity where fresh ideas are allowed to break through. Splat is a welcome addition to the first-day-jitters canon and a fun book to read any time of year.—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Scotton offers a feline so fuzzy and appealing that kids will want to reach out and touch. It’s Splat’s first day at cat school, but instead of jumping joyously out of bed, he hides under the covers, tail and paws peeping out and round eyes just visible beneath the sheet (an extremely clever touch). Alas, Mom’s not buying the ruse, so Splat is soon on his way to school, mouse pal, Seymour, in his lunch box. He’s welcomed enthusiastically by his cat classmates, and lessons go smoothly—until he learns that cats are supposed to chase mice! Poor Seymour. A tidy twist at the end, notwithstanding, the story is fairly unremarkable. The artwork, on the other hand, is stellar and lots of fun. Cat-themed details are strategically placed throughout, and a scattering of clean-lined objects in bright colors provide great contrast to goofy-looking, spindly-legged, coal-black Splat and his toothy, shades-of-gray kitty classmates. Splat’s very visible, very childlike enthusiasms and concerns will resonate with kids, who will flip through the pictures more than once. Preschool-Grade 1. --Stephanie Zvirin

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060831545
• ISBN-13: 978-0060831547
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,497 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splat, August 14, 2008

By	A. D. Cox (northern PA, USA) - See all my reviews

We are a couple owned by a cat, as anyone who knows cats understands. We also own a bookstore. But enough about us, Hobo says. Here's Hobo's take on "Splat the Cat":

Hobo: Splat is a cute kitten. Take it from this famous and handsome cat, I recognize Splat's anxiety about the first day of school. Way to go, Splat, for hanging in there. I give you two thumbs up (I really do have thumbs!)

People owned by Hobo, bookstore folks: people love this book. I just had someone buy this out of the store this morning, at full price, which is saying a lot, because hardcover books are getting soooooo expensive at full retail price. But these parents didn't even bat an eyelash, because their daughter was obviously entranced and highly amused by Splat.

We have Splat on display in our store right by "Hobo Finds A Home", "A Home for Dixie", "Chosen By A Horse", "Rescuing Sprite", "Kitten's First Full Moon", Chester and "The Art of Racing in the Rain".

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great 1st Day of School Read, July 1, 2008

By	Ami Hassler "www.bookami.com" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So I totally thought I could never adore a literary animal as much as I liked Russel in Scotton's Russel the Sheep, but today I met Splat, and I think Russel may have to move down a spot on my list. Splat is a really fat and frizzy black cat, heading off to his first day of cat school. As his tail "wiggled wildly with worry," Splat decides to bring his pet mouse and best friend, Seymour, to school with him. Well as you can imagine, bringing a mouse to cat school causes all sorts of mayhem. Luckily, being as small as a mouse, Seymour is able to get the door to the milk cupboard unstuck and save both his and Splat's day. For the second day of school, Splat's tail "wiggled wildly with excitement. "

While the cover for Splat the Cat would have you believe that this is just an ordinary cat and mouse tale, every illustration offers something unexpected and whimsical. Whether it be the alarm clock pointed to "too early" or Splat's little mouse slippers or the cat with a cheshire grin full of braces, I found that I scanned every page multiple times to make sure I hadn't missed anything. Not to mention, Splat is drawn perfectly. Every frizzy little hair on his head indicates the worry and excitement Splat feels about the first day of school. And the best part is, Scotton reminds readers that for all our worrying, most things come out all right in the end.

For additional reviews and reading suggestions, visit my site.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just one of the best, July 5, 2008

By	B. Rodgers "tahoeannie" (Tahoe City Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I work in a small independent book store and get to see all the latest children's books. Unfortunately, most of the 'newer' authors leave me cold. Not so with Rob's wonderful characters and illustrations. He makes me laugh out loud (I'm 61) so I have to say his books will appeal to and entertain children and adults (which helps when your child asks you to read the book for the 48th time)
Buy his books...all of them. They will be classics in years to come. They are a welcome addition to the growing collection of 'best of the best' children's books that await my grandchildren.