Merry Christmas, Splat

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 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 show more 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

My kids love the Splat books. He is super silly. 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. 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

This review also published at The Children's Book and Media Review

Splat the Cat knows that it is important to write a letter to Santa and be good so that he can get what he wants for Christmas, but he (and especially his little sister) aren’t convinced that Splat has been good enough to get the really big present he wants. Splat decides to do everything he can to help his mom get ready for Christmas. He even washes the Christmas dishes that aren’t dirty. When he’s still not sure if he’s been good enough, he decides to wait for Santa so he can tell Santa how good he has been. For a while it looks like Santa may not have left any presents after all, but in the end Splat has the best Christmas ever.

Splat the Cat is as charming as show more ever in this Christmas story. As usual, Splat makes mistakes and is trying to be a good cat but worries about how things will turn out for him. This story may make some parents and teachers uncomfortable, however, because the whole focus is on Splat getting a big present, not about the spirit of Christmas or doing good for the sake of doing good and not for the rewards. Still, fans of Splat the Cat will enjoy this holiday story about their favorite character. show less

This was my son's choice, and while I was a little put off by the art at first, this book actually has quite a few redeeming qualities. First of all, it's quite funny, and part of the humor is aimed at the parents. The pictures are finally pretty good, once I got over my dislike of the illustration style, and the story could spark some good discussions with your child.

Настала ніч перед Різдвом. Кіт Сплет не може склепити повік: раптом він був не дуже чемним і не заслужив на найбільший у світі подарунок? Треба дочекатися Санту і самому розповісти йому про всі свої подвиги... Та Санта не приходить. Невже Сплет і справді був не досить слухняним? Невже даремно допомагав мамі по господарству? Вірний Сеймур і молодша сестричка ведуть Сплета у вітальню, а там... Чорний пухнастик show more просто не міг залишитися без свята. show less

The storyline is adorable and the pictures are "squee." What's the deal with the mouse, though? Is Seymour an invisible friend?

Not a bad read aloud for the season, but I grew tired of it over the three days of reading it. The kids liked it.