Status
Available
Call number
Description
A nervous Splat finds his first day at Cat School much better than he expected.
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
(2008)
Media reviews
Editorial Review - Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) 7/1/2008 VNU Business Media, Inc.
Splat is terrified of his first day at Cat School and "his tail wiggle[s] wildly with worry." He'll need a friend, so he takes his pet mouse Seymour with him. Mrs. Wimpydimple covers lots of territory in class:
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Self-esteem ("Cats are amazing") is followed by nature ("Cats climb trees, drink mild, and chase mice"). Chaos ensues when Seymour jumps out of Splat's bright yellow lunch box and the "cats [do] what cats do." Their savvy teacher saves the day—and Seymour. By day two, Splat's "tail wiggle[s] wildly…with excitement." Primary colors, especially red, brighten the modern palette of black, gray and moody blues and greens. Humorous touches in the highly textured illustrations delight: Splat's mouse slippers sit beside his bed, and fishbone wallpaper lines his walls. From the blackboard lessons to the store-window signs advertising white chocolate mice, jelly fish and fish cakes, environmental print creates visual interest. Splat himself is a hoot with his spindly legs, flyaway fur and highly expressive tail. Sure to stir things up at storytime. (Picture book. 3-8) Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Drawn in by its whimsical title and droll cover illustrations, I had hopes that Splat the Cat would prove to be one of those quirky and endearing picture books that can satisfy readers both young and old. I suppose I was expecting something in the same vein as Daniel Pinkwater's Bad Bear books, or
Unfortunately, this tale of a cat and his (much feared) first day of school, simply didn't deliver. There are any number of children's books meant to reassure young readers about starting school, and Splat the Cat simply doesn't stand out from the crowd. Even the sub-plot with Splat's pet mouse, Seymour, didn't feel that convincing. Scotton's illustrations are cute at first, but it soon becomes apparent that the google-eyed Splat always seems to be wearing the same basic expression. It's possible that my atrocious head-cold, and attendant grouchiness while reading this one, have colored my view, but I honestly didn't see much here to rave about.
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Jackie French's Diary of a Wombat.Unfortunately, this tale of a cat and his (much feared) first day of school, simply didn't deliver. There are any number of children's books meant to reassure young readers about starting school, and Splat the Cat simply doesn't stand out from the crowd. Even the sub-plot with Splat's pet mouse, Seymour, didn't feel that convincing. Scotton's illustrations are cute at first, but it soon becomes apparent that the google-eyed Splat always seems to be wearing the same basic expression. It's possible that my atrocious head-cold, and attendant grouchiness while reading this one, have colored my view, but I honestly didn't see much here to rave about.
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LibraryThing member gmustain
Such a great story for new readers, this book focuses on Splat the cat and his first day of school. Splat is scared about going to school so he hides his pet mouse in his lunch box and brings him with him to school for comfort and support. However, the mouse escapes and it leads to him being lost
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in a school full of cats. Of course this book ends on a high note as the mouse is unable to unlock the milk pantry for the cats, thus saving the day. This cute book, is a great read for new readers as it is full of simple words yet maintains a good story for them to follow revolving around school. Show Less
LibraryThing member qrennaker
In this book, Splat that Cat struggles to get out of bed to get to school and thinks of a plethora of excuses to keep him from going. This easy reader is really great because it uses a lot of literary elements such as alliteration and rhyme to help young readers to practice sounding out words and
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parts of words. On top of that, the book has comical illustrations and a relatable story. Good read aloud for children. Show Less
LibraryThing member D.Holliman
I think that the illustrations were the greatest strength of this book and that really doesn’t say a lot. It had a good concept for the story line about a first day of school, but it was not that interesting to read. The illustrations were better then the plot, but it is not something I would
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want to look at repeatedly nor do I think a student would be interested in it either beyond a first read. Show Less
LibraryThing member allawishus
Cute illustrations are what dominate in this okay title. Splat the Cat is a fuzzy black cat who is nervous about the first day of school; he takes his pet mouse with him for moral support. When the other cats discover the mouse, they chase him! Oh no! All ends up well, never fear. There's nothing
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too special about this "fear of school" title except Splat himself, who is really really super duper cute. Show Less
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Cute children's picture book about a cat's first day at cat school. Splat, who brings his pet mouse along in his lunch box, learns from his teacher that cats are supposed to chase mice. What happens at lunch time? I'll let you read and find out. Illustrations are cute.
LibraryThing member betsyeggers
What I like: This book is a great book for children who are preparing for their first day of school because it's Splat's first day of school. However, Splat does not know what to expect and is a little scared about going. He soon finds that he has many friends, and he teaches his friends that mice
What I did not like: nothing. This book is a good book.
Recommendation: I would buy this book for my library (medium public library).
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are good.What I did not like: nothing. This book is a good book.
Recommendation: I would buy this book for my library (medium public library).
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LibraryThing member danusia
Irresistible fuzzy, Splat doesn't want to go to school so he takes his mouse friend with him. well, at lunch all the other cats try to eat his mouse friend but splat stops them when the milk cupboard is locked, his mouse friend unlocks the cupboard and then all the cats learn to love mice for what
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they can do. did the author actually set out to teach kids that there are no natural enemies? Show Less
LibraryThing member AngMarWilson
This book is about a cat named Splat and his first day of school. He was worried and said everything he could possibly say to stay home that day. Finally, he packed his pet mouse(kind of ironic) and headed to school. He ended up having a great first day and made lots of friends! He could not wait
I like this book because I feel it relates to most children on their first day of school. I think this is a really cute book and it has good illustrations.
If I were to plan on reading this book to my class, like most of my reviews say, I would come up with some sort of an art project. I would also have my students create a list of feelings they might have felt on their first day of school.
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for his second day of school.I like this book because I feel it relates to most children on their first day of school. I think this is a really cute book and it has good illustrations.
If I were to plan on reading this book to my class, like most of my reviews say, I would come up with some sort of an art project. I would also have my students create a list of feelings they might have felt on their first day of school.
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LibraryThing member marqjl01
I like that this shows the overcoming of first day of school anxiety. Splat the cat also had a friend the mouse and splat had to tell the class not to chase him.
LibraryThing member stuwilab
Good story to share for beginning of school year jitters. You could have students compare this story with other stories focused on worrisome feelings about the start of school. Students could write a story about their feelings on the first day.
LibraryThing member thejoysofreading
I can't get enough of Splat. He is so lovable and adorable. This illustrations are so detailed and other storytime hit!
LibraryThing member josephm1
Splat the Cat is simply an entertaining, cute story about a cat who is apprenhensive about going to school. He brings his pet mouse to keep him company. How will the other cats react when they see a mouse at school?
LibraryThing member KristinSpecht
ELL could understand the book without reading it. Learn about everyday activities to get ready for school and ask students to list the ways a new school can be scary. Ask them about the humor in the book.
You could use this to teach students how to include alliteration, italics (when thinking),
You could use this to teach students how to include alliteration, italics (when thinking),
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wordplay (purr-fect), interesting names, increasing font size to make writing more dramatic, names that give foreshadow events (splat), elipses, and phrases arranged differently on a page to make it more interesting to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lib4282012
Great book with really cute illustrations that will engage young children, and help keep their focus. This book is excellent for first graders, and kindergartners because it contains a valuable message about school not being as scary as it might seem. This is extremely applicable for this age group
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as so many struggle with going to school for the first time and being away from home. Show Less
LibraryThing member mjp166
Splat the Cat is nervous about his first day of school. As he goes and makes friend, he learns not to be so scared. When his little mouse friend saves the day in a school full of cats, Splat learns that people should not be judged based on their differences. Splat was so excited to return to his
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second day of cat school. Show Less
LibraryThing member Schuman
Splat the cat wakes on his first day of school afraid. When Splat and his friend mouse get to school he learns what cats do, they chase mice. The mouse gets loose but after finding him the teacher changes what cats do, they don't chase mice. In the end Splat loves school. The illustrations in this
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are great, they really help the reader see how the cat's are feeling. I think this would be a great book to use for an art lesson and also just to use for a fun read-aloud Show Less
LibraryThing member anacryan
Cute character, funny and unique illustrations, simple vocabulary for early readers. It should catch the attention of many younger readers and there are more books in the series Preschool to 2nd grade.
LibraryThing member colorred
Cute book. I enjoyed the story and will pick this up for my son when he's ready to go off to pre-school.
LibraryThing member khportlandclass
This book is cute and has a story line that most children can relate too: the first day of school. The pictures are pretty funny. My favorite page is the one where Splat claims that "The door won't open, the gate won't let go of his fingers, and the lamppost won't get out of his way". His
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relationship with his pet mouse is an interesting twist. While it is a cute read, the storyline has been overdone. I'm curious about the originality of the other books in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member ekstewar
Summary: Splat is a cat who is afraid of going to his first day of school. When he gets there he learns that cats are supposed to chase mice, but his best friend is a mouse. This is all very confusing and scary for Splat. In the end, he loves going to school.
Genre: Early Reader
Personal Reflection:
Concept: This book would be a good one to read to calm the nerves of a kid who's afraid of going to school for the first time, or a new school.
Genre: Early Reader
Personal Reflection:
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I am really drawn to this type of illustration. The illustration, to me, is the best part of this book. The characters and their emotions come alive with this rarely seen style of illustration. Concept: This book would be a good one to read to calm the nerves of a kid who's afraid of going to school for the first time, or a new school.
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LibraryThing member ymelodie
How can you not relate to Spat the Cat? Wonderful story to help young students fit into the school routine. Wonderful illustrations, too.
LibraryThing member sandy033
Funny & fun children's book
LibraryThing member audreydodge
I love the illustrations in this book. It's amazing how the sketches give the appearance of cat legs under a blanket. I find that Splat's mouse is so cute and I looked over each page to find him especially if he was a little hidden. Splat is a shy kitten and his first day of school is a tough one
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for him. He brings along his mouse for support and everything goes haywire when his mouse comes out of his lunchbox. Show Less
LibraryThing member demmiee
Splat is starting school and is nervous. As such he keeps finding excuses as to why he can't go. The pictures are cute and the story is simple. It's easy to read the book too fast since it's such a simple read - so pace yourself when reading Splat the Cat.
Original publication date
2008
ISBN
0545198666 / 9780545198660