The Big Helper

Starred review from July 14, 2008
Working in the same edgy style of his Russell the Sheep books, Scotton once again wrests new opportunities for humor from a well-worn theme, this time training his sights on first-day-of-school anxiety. Right away the art signals off-kilter: using a predominantly blue-gray palette, enlivened by only one or two contrast colors per page, Scotton evokes the black cat Splat in almost 3D renderings, the cat's hairs seemingly standing on edge, eyes bulging apprehensively as he contemplates his first appearance at Cat School. For courage, Splat secretly brings along his pet mouse, Seymour, and is astounded when the day's lesson includes the news that cats chase mice (to Splat's multiple “Why?”s, the teacher offers a finite “Because”). Naturally, everything works out before the dismissal bell rings, but not before a chase sequence guaranteed to bring down the house. Rambunctious, filled with superbly executed details (look for Seymour when Splat pulls his mildly sheer sheets over his head), this book not only gets its job done, it completely transcends its agenda. Ages 3–7.

July 1, 2008
K-Gr 2-Fans of Scotton's Russell the Sheep will immediately recognize the offbeat humor in "Splat the Cat". 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. Most puzzling of all for Splat is the news that cats chase mice. He does not chase mice. In fact, he has a pet mouse whom he has packed in his lunchbox because he wants a friend with him on his first day. The sight of the mouse causes chaos, but proves fortuitous when Seymour saves the day by crawling through a small hole to unlock the milk pantry. Cheered by the fact that school is, in fact, wonderful, Splat excitedly returns on the second day. 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."Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Scottonoffers a feline so fuzzy andappealing that kids will want to reach out and touch. Its Splats first day at cat school, but instead of jumping joyously out of bed, he hides under the covers, tail and paws peeping out and round eyesjust visiblebeneath the sheet (an extremely clever touch). Alas, Moms not buying the ruse, so Splat is soon on his way to school, mouse pal, Seymour, in his lunch box. Hes welcomed enthusiastically by his cat classmates, and lessons go smoothlyuntil he learns that cats are supposed to chase mice! Poor Seymour. A tidy twist at the end, notwithstanding, the story is fairly unremarkable. The artwork, on the other hand, is stellar and lots of fun. Cat-themed details are strategically placed throughout, and a scattering of clean-lined objects in bright colorsprovide great contrast togoofy-looking, spindly-legged, coal-black Splat and his toothy, shades-of-gray kitty classmates.Splats very visible, very childlike enthusiasms and concernswill resonate with kids, who willflip through the pictures more than once.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 22, 2013
Splat and Spike have just one more house to hit up on Halloween night—the spooky one. Unfortunately, their mouse friend Seymour hightails it inside, leaving Splat and Spike to navigate the cobweb-strewn corridors of the old house. Large flaps on nearly every page lift to reveal the innocuous objects behind the scary-looking shapes and shadows as the two freaked-out kitties search for their errant friend. Though the three friends leave the house safe and sound (the ghosts and vampire ducks they do find basically leave them alone), Scotton provides just enough scares to keep readers on edge. Ages 4–8.

September 14, 2015
A pine tree with prickly Velcro-like hooks, a gold foil star, and satiny yellow ribbon are a few of the textural elements spicing up this Christmas board book featuring Scotton’s popular black cat. The brief text follows Splat’s holiday preparations, which include decorating a Charlie Brown–worthy tree, wrapping presents (and himself with ribbon), and falling asleep just as Santa drops down the chimney. Chock full of holiday reds and greens, Scotton’s high-spirited illustrations are the main draw, though aside from Splat’s gift-wrapping misadventures, there isn’t much in the way of outsize mischief in this mild story. Up to age 4.

January 1, 2009
Splat, a fuzzy feline, is nervous about the first day of school. When his excuses (no clean socks, bad hair) don't work, Splat packs his pet mouse into his lunch box and hopes for the best. After a day of lessons and making friends, he discovers Cat School isn't that bad after all. Scotton's playful illustrations add verve to the story.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)