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Splat the Cat Review
It's Splat's first day of school and he's worried. What if he doesn't make any new friends? Just in case, Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse, Seymour, and hides him in his lunchbox. The teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, introduces Splat to the class and he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes and the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!), Splat's worried again. Maybe now he'll lose all his friends, old and new! Just in time, wise Mrs. Wimpydimple takes charge and teaches everyone an important new lesson. Maybe Cat School is going to be okay after all! User Submitted Splat the Cat ReviewsOctober 7, 2008 Cute story with amazing illustrations If you're a parent or guardian of a school-aged child, chances are that you've already experienced the day (or days) when your child just does not want to go to school. Maybe he's sick; maybe she's scared; or maybe he just wants a day off. In Splat the Cat's case, he's afraid of his first day of school, and he tries every excuse to get out of it, but his mother is persistent. He must go to school. Splat reluctantly goes, but decides to take his mouse friend Seymour along in his lunch box. At school, Splat's teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple talks about all of the AMAZING things cats can do, and he is very surprised to hear that cats chase mice. As you can only expect in these sorts of situations, Seymour escapes from the lunch box, and a chase pursues. Luckily, Mrs. Wimpydimple intervenes, and Splat realizes that school may not be so bad after all. This is the type of book that can help ease a child's fear of school through a very funny story with equally funny illustrations. I can't find information about what medium Scotton used to create the illustrations, but to me, they look digitally rendered. Splat is a big fuzzball, and his facial expressions are hilarious. The illustrations are also richly detailed, and I keep finding new things each time I read the book. For example, when his mom combs Splat's hair, Seymour is holding a comb, peeking out from behind a jar of "Fur Gloop." On another page, you can see Splat's bookshelf with a picture of his dad and books that include such titles as, "I Love Fish." It's a book that I think both parents and children will enjoy reading over and over again. August 27, 2008 Splat the Cat My granddaughter loved this book, we read it and reread it. Condition was new and it was shipped quickly. Excellent item. August 24, 2008 Adorable and fun for the little ones I bought this book earlier in August for my son who is starting Kindergarten this year. I was immediately drawn to the cover illustration. My son LOVES this book! We have read Splat nearly every night for two weeks straight. The story is straightforward and easy for younger children to follow. The story jumps from one event to the other during Splat's first day of school, which may leave adults and older children longing for additional explanation. I did have to help explain to my son what it is that Splat whispers into Seymour's ear, as he didn't understand at first what happened. And also when the cats were running from the mouse ("Why are they still running? He's a small mouse"). It actually provided a great opportunity for us to talk about what was happening in the story. "Oh! Splat told Seymour to open the cupboard because he can fit under the door!" But my son was laughing with almost every page, and in the end when Splat's tail no longer wiggles with worry, but excitement, my son reads along as he has almost every page memorized. Of course I love it more because my son loves it so much. And who wouldn't want to read a story about a cat named Splat going to school!? We both enjoy the illustrations and story so much, I'm online now to purchase Russell and the Lost Treasure. August 14, 2008 Splat 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". August 11, 2008 Great Illustrations Reviewed by Cayden (age 4) and Max (age 2) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (7/08) "Splat the Cat" is a story about a cat named Splat who is worried about attending his first day of school. To make him feel better he tucks his pet mouse Seymour away in his lunch box and brings him with him to school. His teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, teaches the class that "Cats climb trees, drink milk, and chase mice." Splat finds out that the latter part holds true when he opens his lunch box at lunchtime revealing Seymour and all of his cat classmates take off after the mouse! Cayden: "That cat has funny hair on the cover! It is all sticking out!" Max: "Mouse, pencil" Cayden: "The mouse is holding a pencil and the cat has three pencils." Max: "Splat cat" Cayden: "Splat is a funny name for a cat!!" Cayden: "I am glad his mom brushed his hair but it still looks funny!" Cayden: "Why is he bringing a mouse to school with him? How is it going to breathe shut in his lunch box? Is there air in there?" Max: "Bike ride" Cayden: "He is riding his bike to school. That is a silly looking bike though. The back wheel is real little!" Max: "Chase mouse!" Cayden: "I hope they don't catch him!" Cayden: "I liked the pictures in this book, they were funny!" Max: "Funny!!" Parent's comments: "Splat the Cat" was an entertaining book with a fun storyline for preschoolers. The names in the book, like Splat the Cat and Mrs. Wimpydimple, made my children laugh out loud. The book is filled with wonderfully detailed illustrations that I enjoyed as much as my children. "Splat the Cat" by Rob Scotton is definitely a winner and we highly recommend it! August 8, 2008 Great illustrations but choppy prose I'd really like to give this book 2 or 3 stars, but my 2 1/2 year old daughter is IN LOVE with it. I can't understand it, as the actual story is really choppy and, in my opinion, kind of poorly written. Maybe the author knows more about 2 yr olds than I do, because what he has written works for my daughter! It has been THE book she picks out before bedtime for almost two weeks now. I'm terribly tired of reading it, but at least the illustrations are entertaining. Bottom line, the book is for her not me so I'll give it 4 stars (can't bring myself to click 5)! August 6, 2008 Courtesy of Kids @ Teens Read Too Poor Splat is so worried about his first day at Cat School. His tail twitches all over, and he does whatever he can to delay. Before his mother manages to drag him out of the house, he slips his pet mouse, Seymour, into his lunchbox, figuring that at least he'll have a friend on what is sure to be a scary day. When Splat gets to school, his round and kind teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, and his new classmates all make him feel welcome. Splat asks a lot of questions, but he finds out just how amazing his species can be. One cardinal rule that Mrs. Wimpydimple teachers them is that "cats chase mice." At lunchtime, chaos breaks loose when Seymour escapes the lunchbox, and Splat's classmates do what cats do. With Seymour's help, Splat can teach his fellow cats a few new tricks, and even save the day. This lovingly detailed book shows a lot of personality in its illustrations, and was an absolute joy to read. I'm sure that reading it aloud with a child would be even more fun! Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose August 3, 2008 Splat does not fall flat! I own a cat loving toddler---so this book was a "must have". It is better than what I expected! The story is great for children prone toward procrastination or fearful of heading off to school. The unusual cat-mouse relationship is a neat twist. Splat interprets the world and experiences much like small children do---hearing and seeing only what effects him. The illustrations are fabulous and expressive, adding quite a bit to the reading experience. We hope there will be more Splat stories in the future! July 24, 2008 Book Review: Splat the Cat While in school, a classmate told me about their upcoming school library job. They were to take over for an older librarian who had held the position for many years. My classmate said that job numero uno will be collection development rehab. The reason? The former librarian was a cat lover, and she made it a priority to stock the collection with a wildly disproportionate amount of feline titles. Not only did she buy them by the armful, but she also couldn't bear to part with any of the old ones. Books about dogs? One. A classic case of letting your personal tastes get in the way of a nicely balanced collection. Why do I bring this story up? Well, I have before me the latest from Rob Scotton (of "Russell the Sheep" fame), "Splat the Cat", and I can't help but think of that cat loving librarian, eager to snap this one up. Problem is, it might not be the top choice for the role it fills. "Splat the Cat" is a first day of school book. The story begins with the titular Splat, in bed, petrified of the day that lay before him. After packing Seymour, his pet mouse, and using all the delay tactics he could muster, Splat arrives at cat school to meet his teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, and his new classmates. After Seymour escapes, Splat must do everything he can do to keep his pet safe in a room full of cats. When Seymour saves the day by unlocking the milk cupboard, everyone gains a new appreciation for rodents. Books written to be read aloud are often frantic in spots. While this tone can pair nicely with humor, "Splat" has the feel of a story that is jumping from one event to the next in a race to the finish. A disjointed quality creeps in on occasion, distracting from the fun. The illustrations will appeal to young readers. While no information is provided about their creation, they appear to these eyes as a digital/hand drawn combination. Fur is rendered in remarkable detail, each hair on fluffy display. As far as first day of school books go, "Splat the Cat" is not a must add. However, its humor and illustrations will be a draw for youngsters... and possibly a few cat obsessed school librarians. July 5, 2008 just one of the best 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. For more Splat the Cat reviews click here.
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