Bibliography:
Scotton, Rob. 2008. Splat the Cat.
New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780545198660
Plot Summary:
Splat is worried about his first day at
cat school. However, after a persistent mother and class full of
friendly fellow feline students welcome him to the world of
education, Splat finds that he really does like school after all.
Critical Analysis:
Scotton's expressive illustrations and
relateable character provide a perfect avenue for children to connect
their own feelings with those of the lovable Splat the Cat. Children
can relate with this tale of going to school and the anxiety that
comes along with starting any new endeavor. They will laugh at
Splat's creative arguments that his hair, house, and yard won't let
him go to school, he better put it off until later. They will feel
his great relief when he is given a great big cat welcome by his new
fellow classmates. And they will feel Splat's excitement when he
learns the important truth that he, like all children, is amazing.
Scotton's heartfelt picture book is a great way to ease new and
reticent young scholars into the exciting world of school.
Scotton's illustrations are crisp and
full of wonderfully funny details like fish bone wallpaper and little
white chocolate mice at the candy store. He perfectly captures
through his characters expressive feline faces the emotions of his
characters as they go thorough the first day of school for Splat.
The vivid illustrations compliment this universal story of first day
jitters while at the same time providing beautiful detail to create
the rich, complete world inhabited by Scotton's very human felines.
Reviews and Award(s):
School Library Journal: “The
fuzzy black feline is worried about his first day of school, and
despite determined attempts to avoid the inevitable, he ends up
there. School is a combination of fantastic revelations and baffling
mysteries....This lighthearted
story, told with a generous helping of humor and goofy
characterizations, will have broad appeal. The backgrounds are full
of great details, like the fish-bone wallpaper in Splat's room and
one of his classmates clutching a Russell the Sheep doll. There is
something new to find with each reading. The use of monochrome in the
illustrations, with a touch of color here and there, emphasizes the
idea of school as a place of uniformity where fresh ideas are allowed
to break through. Splat
is a welcome addition to the first-day-jitters canon and a fun book
to read any time of year.”
Booklist: “Splat’s very
visible, very childlike enthusiasms and concerns will resonate
with kids, who will flip through the pictures more than once.”
Connections:
*Splat the Cat is a story about
Splat's first day of school. Think about your first day of school.
How did you feel about going to school? Did anything special or
funny happen that made the day memorable? Did you do anything
special? What do you remember most about that day? Draw a picture
of write a narrative about your experience and share it.
*It is normal to feel worried about
starting something new, just like Spat was worried about starting
school for the first time. Come up with a few strategies for dealing
with feeling worried or anxious. Practice these relaxation and
coping techniques.
*Other books about the first day of
school:
Penn, Audrey. The Kissing Hand.
978-0878685851
Wing, Natasha. The Night Before
Kindergarten. 978-0448425009
Danneberg, Julie. First Day
Jitters. 978-1580890618
