Rob Scotton

I adored this sweet tale of young Splat the Cat, and so did the first graders to whom I read it aloud. Splat is nervous about his first day of cat school, and thinks of a million different reasons why perhaps he shouldn't go, but his mother reassures him, counters all of his excuses, and escorts him to his first day, along with his pet mouse, whom he has packed in his lunchbox. Mrs. Wimpydimple proves not to be mean as Splat thought she might be, and actually comes to the rescue when the show more mouse escapes and threatens to wreak havoc in the classroom. This would be a great story to read to young students during the first week of school, to reassure them that everyone has anxieties and worries about what school will be like, and that hopefully, all will work out for the best as they get settled into their new surroundings. show less

Oddly enough, given the fact that I was indifferent to Rob Scotton's first picture-book devoted to the adventures of Splat the Cat, I found Love, Splat quite endearing. Hoping to communicate his affections to Kitten, a "certain cat" with snowy white fur and pea-green eyes, Splat has created a special valentine. Will it win the mischievous minx over? Or will Splat's rival, Spike, win her paw?

Attentive readers will probably have guessed the ending ahead of time, given Kitten's penchant for show more poking Splat, and tying his tail in knots, but it is still fun watching these two kitties find first love. Scotton, whose illustrations in Splat the Cat struck me as very uniform, here seems to invest his character with a little more variety of expression. I'm glad, all in all, that I gave this second Splat book a chance. It would make a lovely selection for a Valentine's Day story-hour. show less

Splat the Cat returns for his third picture-book adventure in Merry Christmas, Splat, a humorous tale in which our feline hero, having asked Santa Claus for "a really big present," begins to wonder if he has been good enough to deserve such a treat. Deciding to make a last ditch effort, in order to impress Santa, Splat sets out to "help" his mom prepare for Christmas...

After finding Rob Scotton's initial Splat book, Splat the Cat, rather mediocre, but enjoying his second, Love, Splat, I show more thought I would give this third installment a try, even though the Christmas season is past. I'm glad I did, as there are some moments of true hilarity here, as when Splat rushes into the kitchen and declares: "Mom!...I'm going to help you get everything ready for Christmas!" and his mother, with an alarmed look on her face, replies, "Oh dear." Scotton's fuzzy feline family is adorable, and although I don't think a Christmas title which focuses on wanting the biggest present imaginable will ever make my favorites list, Merry Christmas, Splat is an engaging holiday tale, all the same. show less

Russell, the ovine hero whose struggle with insomnia was chronicled in the eponymous Russell the Sheep, returns for another adventure in this engaging picture-book, setting out to find the Lost Treasure of Frogsbottom. Tinkering in his workshop, Russell comes up with his Super-Duper Treasure Seeker gizmo, and embarks on his quest, only to discover that the 'treasure' is nothing but a trunk of junk! Or is it...?

With the same appealing artwork as the first - I was happy to see that Russell's show more cap has retained its zany curls - and a story that will please young treasure-seekers (don't all children dream of finding treasure, at one time or another?), Russell and the Lost Treasure is a charming follow-up to the first book, and enough to convince me to give the third one, Russell's Christmas Magic, a try. I was particularly amused to note, in one illustration here, that Scotton's subsequent picture-book hero, Splat the Cat, makes a brief appearance! One wonders when the author/artist decided to create a separate story for him... show less