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Merry Christmas, Splat!
- By Rob Scotton
- Genre: Holiday
Common Sense Media says
Fluffy cat in a fluffy and sweet holiday tale.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know there’s nothing to worry about in this holiday story. Parents might grumble at Splat’s focus on getting a big present, but that provides an opening to talk with your kids about the value of a gift.
What's the story?
When Splat asks for a really big present, his sister gives him last-minute doubts: “Are you sure you’ve been good?” Worried, Splat tackles jobs that don’t need doing in hopes of ensuring he’ll measure up. He stays up all night, waiting for Santa so he can tell him how good he’s been. But when Christmas morning dawns, there’s been no sign of Santa. Was Splat good enough?
Is it any good?
As with his earlier books featuring endearing Splat, Rob Scotton’s story plays second fiddle to the fun illustrations. Here they play well to the deadpan text. Kids will giggle at the alarm in his mother’s face when Splat announces his intentions. And the spread where Santa slips, unnoticed, right past the wide-eyed cat will have them in stitches. The color palette -- mostly black-and-white with subtle coloring and bright pops of red and green -- adds to the appeal.
Kids will relate to Splat’s worries -- and his wish for a big gift. Grownups worn out by the holiday gimme-gimmes may wince.
Whimsical artwork is full of delightful touches.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about being good. Is Splat being very helpful when he tries to be extra good? What else could he have done to help his mother? In addition to helping, what else could he do to be good?
Splat worries at the last minute that he hasn’t been good enough for Santa to come. He probably didn’t have anything to worry about. But if he hadn’t been good, do you think it’s enough to be good just on Christmas Eve?
Splat wants “a really big present.” Do you think a present has to be big to be good? Can you think of small things that make really good presents?
What do you think is inside the box Splat opens?
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AGE
A Fun Christmas Story
This children’s book is the story of a furry black male cat named Splat. It is Christmas Eve, and Splat is not sure he has been good enough for Santa to bring him a BIG present. He tries to score a few extra points at the last minute with Santa and Mom in the usually Splat manner. Splat and friends are adorable!
Splat’s worries whether he’s been good enough reminds me of my own thoughts as a child the night before Christmas. The colorful illustrations in this book are what drew me to read it. I recommend this book for age 6 and under. It is a fun Christmas story that most children can identify with.
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| Author: | Rob Scotton |
| Illustrator: | Rob Scotton |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Holiday |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | September 22, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 3 - 7 |
| Read aloud: | 3 |
| Read alone: | 6 |
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