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Splat the Cat
By Rob Scotton
Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780060831547
$16.99
Grades K-2
In Stores
CAUTION: COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT HORROR STORY
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.
Click here to browse inside this book.
Also reviewed by Charlotte’s Library, Library & Literary Miscellany, Cheryl Rainfield.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
(This review first appeared in the June edition of The Edge of the Forest)
Author of aught seven standout “Little Rooster’s Diamond Button” is back with this retelling of an all too common schoolyard occurrence: switching teams when losing looks eminent. “Bat’s Big Game” will be a nice addition to teacher’s collections and will work well as a classroom read aloud.
Bat is anxious to take part in the Birds vs. Animals soccer game. The thing is, Bat wants to be on the winning side. He sizes up each team, decides that the Animals have it in the bag, and joins their side. It helps that bat straddles the line between the two species - the wings of a bird, but also the fur and teeth of animals. When Team Animal falls behind on the scoreboard, Bat makes a switch to the other team. The birds accept him but the animals go on a scoring tear, nudging ahead in goals. When Bat tries to trade sides again, the jig is up and he is banned from both squads. Lesson learned and price paid, Bat sulks off to practice his skills for next time.
As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think this question: why is the soccer game birds vs. animals and not birds vs. mammals? After all, aren’t birds animals too? Maybe there’s a good reason for this, but it struck me as odd.
Eugenia Nobati’s digital illustrations continue to blur lines between paper/canvas and computer artwork. I would have placed a wager that these were the former. Solid nonetheless. If I asked 10 random folks the first word that came to their mind when they looked at the illustrations in “Bat’s Big Game”, I’m guessing “cute” would be response numero uno. Softly textured characters exist within a world of slightly hazy, vague landscapes. If you know Rob Scotton’s work on the “Russel the Sheep” books, then you can get a sense of the style.
“Bat’s Big Game” is more of a “serves a purpose” book than a pure “just for the fun of it” story, but it fills it’s role of addressing schoolyard mischief with success.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
This book is up for grabs in the 100 Scope Notes Book Giveaway.
100 Scope Notes will be on break until this weekend due to summertime travels. See you back here soon!
Congrats to Karin A., a fine Minnesotan, who will soon be the proud enjoyer of “Chasing Tail Lights”. Thanks to all who entered but did not have lady luck on their side.
In the market for a new book? Like any of the titles below? Send me an email at scopenotes@gmail.com before midnight on Saturday and your name will be written on a vintage fedora and tossed into a large ring. I will then blindfold myself and pick up a hat at random. If your name is on the band, you’ll recieve the book of your choice. Some have accused me of being a very literal person. When you send that email, don’t forget to list the book that you are most interested in. Now lets see those books:
“Three Shadows” by Cyril Pedrosa.
“Chasing Tail Lights” by Patrick Jones. ARC
Best of luck!
