Rob Scotton’s Scaredy-Cat Splat features an Osage County First Grade favorite, Splat.
Splat is worried, ‘Mom! There’s a scary spider on my jack-o-lantern.’ Mom, as always is a calm voice of reassurance and reason.
Mom caught the spider under a glass jar, and now that the spider is trapped it does not seem so scary.
Splat is excited, his class has made jack-o-lanterns, everyone is dressing up in costume, Mrs Wimpydimple is to tell a ghost story, and best of all, there will be a prize for the scariest cat!
Splat is devastated when he ruins his scary witches’ broom handle costume. Even Seymour, his mouse, cannot console him.
Mom and a bunch of old socks to the rescue and Splat, again hopeful he will win the prize for best costume, is ready for the day.
He is a scary sock spider!
On the way to school Splat meets his friends Plank and Spike who also have pretty scary costumes. Eyeing them Seymour trembled a little.
Splat worries his friend’s costumes may be scarier than his.
Splat and his classmates show off their jack-o-lanterns, then everyone puts a flashlight inside their jack-o-lantern and Mrs Wimpydimple turns down the lights and whispered in her best ghost-story voice…
And Pandemonium develops, the class jumps with fright!
The class votes for the scariest cat.
Osage County First Grade gathered on the rug for story time. Eyes glowed with excitement as 11 First Graders observed the new book I held in my hand. Splat is a growing favorite for Osage County First Grade, and for Mrs Martin too.
This edition follows the model of the first Splat books we have enjoyed, it is packed with large full page, child pleasing illustrations, bright colors, well depicted players and a fun, action packed tale.
With 9 x 0.2 x 9 inch dimensions, these books are nice and large, but is not cumbersome or heavy, both are considerations when considering books for little people small hands, or, arthritic aging teacher hands.
Osage County First Grade listens with mounting glee each time the book is read, it is one of our October books, is taken out on the first school day of October and is read the last time during the month on the day our class, celebrates the fun of Halloween with our own costume parade, sack of treats and giggles as we say good bye to Scaredy-Cat, Splat!
All in all Scaredy-Cat, Splat! Is well made to withstand multiple readings, page turning and usage in the classroom, library or home daily reading time with Mom and Dad.
Splat the loveable, furry cat kid is a character Little Readers, and adults can enjoy. This somewhat wild fur little kid cat with the big eyes is, as are many six-year-olds, prone to over react to most situations, is noisy as shown with comments accented with explanation points. He has a fun pet; a cat with a pet mouse companion never fails to elicit giggles. And, he tends to have many of the same worries I see in human Firsties; will I have friends, can I do as well as my classmates, spiders are scary, all normal, typical reactions of the ‘Little Kid’ set.
Mom’s calm voice always puts everything in perspective, calms the situation and provides quiet teaching. I especially liked that Mom uses a glass container to corral the spider, so that Splat can have a close non-threatening view of the multi legged critter.
I rarely kill spiders, black widows yes, recluse yes, common garden variety no. Osage County First Graders quickly realize that spiders are useful for eating many of the insect critters may eat our garden. I like that Mom does not simply kill the spider, rather she helps Splat work through is worry to the point that he can take the creature to school, in its jar.
All in all Scaredy-Cat, Splat! Rates 22 thumbs up from Osage County First Grade.
I am happy to recommend for the younger set, for the K Primary classroom, public and school library, gifting a classroom filled with Little People or a special Little Person in the family.
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Reviewed by:MOLLY’S REVIEWS molly martin
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35+ years classroom teacher
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AMAZON BIOGRAPHY Biography
Rob Scotton is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Russell the Sheep and Russell and the Lost Treasure.
His work can also be found on greeting cards, ceramics, textiles, prints, stationery, and glassware.
An honors graduate of Leicester Polytechnic, Rob now lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.
