Merry Christmas, Splat!
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Fluffy cat in a fluffy and sweet holiday tale.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 3 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
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Illustrations:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Merry Christmas, Splat! was written by Darienne Hosley Stewart
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.
Families Can Talk About
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- 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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Book Summary
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.
Kids will relate to Splat’s worries -- and his wish for a big gift. Grownups worn out by the holiday gimme-gimmes may wince.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, Publication date: 9/22/2009
Number of pages: 40, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 3, Read Alone: 6
Number of pages: 40, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 3, Read Alone: 6
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