| Title | : | Love, Splat: A Valentines Day Book For Kids (Splat the Cat) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 006083157X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780060831578 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 40 |
| Publication | : | First published November 25, 2008 |
Love, Splat: A Valentines Day Book For Kids (Splat the Cat) Reviews
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Oddly enough, given the fact that I was indifferent to Rob Scotton's first picture-book devoted to the adventures of Splat the Cat, I found Love, Splat quite endearing. Hoping to communicate his affections to Kitten, a "certain cat" with snowy white fur and pea-green eyes, Splat has created a special valentine. Will it win the mischievous minx over? Or will Splat's rival, Spike, win her paw?
Attentive readers will probably have guessed the ending ahead of time, given Kitten's penchant for poking Splat, and tying his tail in knots, but it is still fun watching these two kitties find first love. Scotton, whose illustrations in
Splat the Cat struck me as very uniform, here seems to invest his character with a little more variety of expression. I'm glad, all in all, that I gave this second Splat book a chance. It would make a lovely selection for a Valentine's Day story-hour. -
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Perspective of a Writer...
Splat has drawn homemade valentines for his class... but he especially wants to give a special valentine to a female cat in his class named Kitten. He's really nervous as she doesn't seem to like him much poking him in the belly and tying his tail in a knot. Will Splat give his valentine to Kitten?
This book seemed really mean to me at first. My eyes opened wider at some points where I wondered if this is even appropriate to teach in a children's book. I'm not sure I want a child to believe that someone who likes you does and says mean things. That is called abuse and it is already too widespread as it is. Then Spike comes into the picture and one ups Splat into giving up his quest to give Kitten his valentine!! I totally disapprove of this part of the story. We should be teaching children than just because someone appears to be better doesn't mean they are and that we should put our effort into it no matter what if we feel strongly about it. As adults we are already so consumed with keeping up with the one next to us that it doesn't seem right to teach that same attitude to a child!
My nephew who I read this book with laughed out loud when Splat and Seymour go flying into the sky. We talked about whether Splat did the right thing or not and it was a good conversation. We enjoyed the illustrations which were incredible with the way the fur was illustrated. My nephew drew the homemade valentines, they were his favorite as he draws himself. In the end the book taught that things aren't always what they seem. I don't want to think this was a bad story so much as a muddled one, but the message was poorly shown. Things worked out well for Splat but its dangerous to teach a child that things will magically work out instead of the fact that it is our choices that determine our destiny.
BOTTOM LINE: Splat the Cat is fun if misguided...
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @
Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery... -
Reviewed by Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
I absolutely adore Splat. If you haven't read SPLAT THE CAT, I highly recommend doing so, even though you don't have to do it before enjoying LOVE, SPLAT.
Splat is determined that today will be perfect. After all, it's Valentine's Day, and he's got a certain someone on his mind - a snowy white cat, with pea green eyes, named Kitten.
But when he runs into Kitten on the way to school (literally), he's too nervous to give her the card. And even when Valentines are exchanged during class, the funny feeling in his stomach won't let him give Kitten his special greeting. And at recess, when Spike informs Splat that he likes kitten, too (and has a much larger card to prove it), Splat gives up.
His card goes into the trash.
But Kitten finds it, and she has a small, pink envelope to give to Splat! And inside are the same three little words that his own card contained: I Like You.
Splat is just so cute that I want to bring him home! The illustrations and story by Rob Scotton are absolutely perfect! Whenever you pick up a book featuring Splat, you won't be able to resist loving him just a little bit more. -
This one has a bit of the, teasing/mean to someone whom you like. I'm sure I could get criticism for saying this of a picture book, but I really believe we need to get away from the habit of teaching/telling kids that we pick on those we like, as if that's ok. We shouldn't normalize or condone mean behavior, whether it's toward someone we dislike, someone we like, or someone we like like.
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I truly enjoyed meeting Splat! The illustrations are adorable and quirky and cuddly and fun--and it features cats, so what's not to love!? The story is nice, too. I am not overly fond of Valentine's stories set in kiddie classrooms but managed to overcome my aversion and enjoy this one. It's pretty typical (boy likes girl, boy thinks girl hates him, but girl actually likes boy, rival boy appears, first boy gets scared, but true love wins in the end) but the illustrations make this version noteworthy. I also appreciated the subtle message that we should like someone for the sake of liking them, not to boost of our own sense of self-importance should they like us back.
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I'm a huge fan of Splat, the Cat, mainly because Splat is a cat! In this one, Splat wants to give a Valentine to Kitten but is a little intimidated especially when another cat vows his love for Kitten too. It's a cute story! (3.5 stars)
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Really nice illustrations, but the story was lame.
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The next time you're frantically looking for Valentine's Day Books, check out Love, Splat. First of all, there's the title. I mean really, who can resist the title? Secondly, it's this cute little story about a cat who feels like his valentine isn't good enough for the cute little cat he has his eye on-really-it's enough to make you vomit, but it is -word of the day-cute. The illustrations make all the "cuteness" bearable-and really-who doesn't enjoy a story about the underdog on Valentine's Day?
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Splat the cat is back for another school-related story. It's Valentine's Day and he likes Kitten, a fluffy white cat with beautiful pea colored eyes, but she keeps poking him and tying his tail in a knot. To make matters worse another cat adores Kitten just as much as Splat.
I enjoy the round fluffy illustrations and warm colored illustrations, as well as, the meekness of Splat. Not cheesy like most Valentine's stories. Great book. -
While the story was a little inane, at least it had a decent moral, although I don't know if it's too mushy-gushy for kids or not. I like the fuzziness of the cats in the illustrations but found it weird that Splat is the only black cat in a white cat world. Perhaps I should have read the first Splat book first- maybe then it would make more sense.
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I love the illustrations in the Splat books. He looks so soft, and he reminds me of my two little black cats.
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Oh, I love the illustrations in the Splat books. They have so much personality. My 7 yo daughter loved the story line, too. I would add this one to my Valentine collection.
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Very cute. read it to the Toddlers at storytime.
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For cartoon black cat picture book franchises, I definitely prefer Pete to Splat. Pete's messages seem to be a lot more meaningful and sincere. Not that every picture book has to have a moral, but I just don't see it with Splat. He seems whiny and self centered. Then again, I haven't read much Splat, so maybe not.
However, these qualities definitely showed up at least a little bit in
Love, Splat. He's the kind of egocentric that a lot of kids in the target audience are, but that you often want children's characters to be better than. The book itself was cute, but lacking in any real substance.
However, I will say that the rhyming text, simple wording, and predictable plot would be great for younger readers to read on their own at the learning to read stage.
I will say that the kids seem to be all over this one. I don't know if they have more familiarity with Splat but I've seen a few kids choose this one for independent reading this week. Surprisingly, it has more appeal to the boys in my K-1 group than the girls. I wasn't expecting that.
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Brīnišķīga grāmatiņa par Runča Punča piedzīvojumiem. Skaistas ilustrācijas, jautri un smieklīgi stāstiņi. Bērns bija sajūsmā.
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Parents need to know that Splat is an appealing hero, Kitten a sparkling romantic interest, and Spike a worthy opponent. Classic comedic confusion forms the basis of the book.
Positive messages
Splat is rewarded for his humility and kindness.
Violence & scariness
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
This is from commonsensemedia.org
Booklist (February 15, 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 12))
Preschool-Grade 1. The lovable but insecure feline from Splat the Cat (2008) returns to celebrate Valentine’s Day. He has a crush on Kitten, but whenever they meet she pulls his ears, ties his tail, and calls him smelly. His classmate Spike—who has his own crush on Kitten—does his best to convince Splat that Kitten doesn’t return his affections. Fortunately, Kitten is able to see through Spike’s amorous professions, leading to a happy Valentine exchange. Scotton’s cartoon-style artwork features animals rendered in black-and-gray tones using vividly colored human accessories. A perfect choice for Valentine story hours or for Splat fans any time of the year.
Horn Book (Fall 2009)
Lovesick Splat makes a special valentine for Kitten, even though she "pulled his ears and poked his belly, tied his tail and called him smelly"--and has another admirer named Spike. Satisfyingly, Kitten gives a lovely card to Splat, too. In Scotton's cartoon illustrations, the fuzzy black cat and his homemade card evoke all the highs and lows of Valentine's Day.
School Library Journal (March 1, 2009)
K-Gr 2-In this follow-up to Splat the Cat (HarperCollins, 2008), the fuzzy black feline learns that bigger isn't better when it comes to Valentine's Day cards. Splat has a crush on Kitten, a fluffy white cat with pea-green eyes, but he isn't the only one. Self-assured Spike informs Splat that he likes her much more and has prepared a superior Valentine to prove it. Discouraged, Splat tosses his tribute into the trash. Kitten smiles as she receives Spike's card but doesn't swoon as she reads, "You are so lucky that I like you." Happily, she notices the little red envelope in the trash and surprises Splat with a pink Valentine that leaves him grinning from ear to ear. The cartoon-style illustrations have a contemporary, quirky feel due to the monochromatic palette, which is punctuated with brightly colored details. Children will giggle at Splat's awkward interactions with Kitten and smile at the story's satisfying conclusion.-Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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My daughter enjoys reading about Splat, but the two messages I took away from this story were terrible and prompted some good discussion about how we treat people - all people, but specifically those we love - and how "bigger" doesn't always mean "better."
Terrible Lesson #1: Abuse those you love!
Splat has a crush on Kitten, who isn't very nice to him. She pulls and pokes and generally tortures him, but it's OK because she likes him. It's her way of expressing affection. She justifies her actions in the end by telling him all the things she likes about him, which is why she abuses him. It's not the sort of healthy relationship I want my child to accept and experience.
Terrible Lesson #2: Show love by giving the biggest things!
Splat made Kitten a special valentine to express his feelings, but he's too nervous to give it to her. Spike also has a crush on Kitten, and begins a one-up contest to make Splat feel inadequate about his valentine. Spike must like Kitten more because he's drawn her a bigger picture, and made her a bigger card - superficial things that don't matter, but it's enough to make Splat throw his card away rather than give it to Kitten.
There are so many kids books out there with amazing, positive messages that are delivered with fun, creative illustrations. This just isn't one of them. Even if you like Splat and his normal shenanigans, I recommend skipping this one. -
Wooooooow! Diluar dugaan saya yang mengira buku kedua ini akan sama datarnya dengan buku pertama Splat, ternyata di buku kedua ini saya mulai menyukai Splat. Padahal saya baca tepat setelah membaca
Splat si Kucing yang sempat membuat mood saya semakin buruk.
Cerita manis dan menghangatkan. So sweet sekaliiiii <3
Apalagi reaksi Kitten di bagian akhir, awawawaw... Ternyata cukup menggunakan tiga kata ajaib untuk mengambil hati Kitten. Tidak perlu menggambar hati sebesar lapangan bermain, Splat juga tidak perlu menjadi orang lain. Kitten justru menyukai Splat apa adanya, yang terlihat "tidak biasa" tiap kali Kitten melihatnya
Pokoknya suka~ apalagi Kitten digambarkan manis sekali -
This might be the only Splat book I don't love. Splat really like Kitten and wants to give her a valentine. But he is not sure. When ever he sees kitten she pulls his hears, pokes his belly, and tells him he smells. When I was growing up you were told that the boy picking on you, did it because they liked you. Well that was a few decades ago. And while in the end of this book you find out that Kitten was petting his fur, and like the sound Splat made when you touched his belly, I still think it sends the wrong message. We need to be teaching kids to show feelings in non-harmful ways. To one person, they are playing, to another they are being bullied. Yep, this is a total thumbs down for me.
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Oh dear. Kitten (a lady cat) regularly beats the shit out of Splat (a boy cat) because she likes him. Of course! Ughghghgh. I'm grateful it wasn't the other way around, but normalizing relationship violence is not cute or funny. Also there's a long sequence where the two male cats one up each other with displays of their love for Kitten - during this exchange neither bothers to ask Kitten what she thinks of all this "love." Stahhhhpp.
Also when I asked the kids why they thought Kitten didn't seem to like Splat one little girl offered, "Maybe because he's the only black cat." *Headdesk* *Dies a little inside* -
Received this as a Valentines Day present a few years ago and just read it again. It's four-star adorable, but I decided to add an extra star in a meager attempt to balance out the absurd one- and two-star alt-left reviews. (Or maybe alt-right? It's hard to be sure...not easy to tell the whiny-ass babies apart anymore. It all starts sounding like waa waa waa...! to me.)
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This was an adorable book that I read to my daughter before pre-school while we were waiting for the doors to open. She loved this book and kept her occupied. The illustrations were adorable too. Would recommend.
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Really fun read, Splat has us giggling the whole way through!
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cute
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This is a warm and fuzzy feelings book. It is adorable, albeit predictable. The illustrations are fun and endearing. A great Valentine's read for preK-2nd grade.
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Splat is crushing on Kitten, but so is Spike, and it's Valentine's Day, and Splat has a special valentine for a special someone, but so does Spike - What will happen next, and who will Kitten choose?
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Splat books are by far my favorite. They are funny, they are cute, and my kids love them. He is a great character and always has a great book. This is no exception!
