With so much Liebster love going around the blogosphere and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I decided to pick a book about school crushes. After all, which kid or adult hasn’t had one? For those of you who heart for Ryan Gosling (actor from Ides of March & Crazy, Stupid, Love), go check out Tara Lazar’s post, it is hilarious.
Now onto the book review for this week. Wishing you all a very happy early Happy Valentine’s Day!
Title: Love, Splat
Author & Illustrator: Rob Scotton
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2008
Ages: 3-6
Themes: Valentine’s Day, Shyness, Humor, Friendship, Love
Opening Sentences:
“Splat stared into the bathroom mirror. A worried Splat stared back. His heart drummed and his tummy rumbled.
He straightened his whiskers, ruffled his fur, and brushed his teeth. Today he wanted to look just right. After all, today was Valentine’s Day.”
Synopsis (from Harper Collins site):
It’s Valentine’s Day and Splat has a special valentine for a certain someone in his class. Her name is Kitten, and Splat likes her even more than fish sticks and ice cream. But Kitten doesn’t seem to like him at all—she always ties his tail and pokes his belly when she sees him. And then there’s Splat’s rival, Spike, who also likes Kitten. Will Splat’s heartfelt valentine win Kitten’s paw in the end?
Activities:
Here is a link to a one-page “fill in the missing letter” worksheet featuring words from the book. Since this is a Valentine themed book, here are is a site with free themed classroom activities.
Why I Like This Book:
Just a simple, fun story of boy likes girl. Boy thinks he isn’t the cat’s meow or is he? I enjoyed seeing the journey that Splat went on from grooming himself in the morning, to knocking down Kitten by mistake, to competing with Spike about who likes Kitten more, to watching Splat feel down trodden and then learning everything isn’t what it seems. This is a book full of heart.
Rob Scotton does a brilliant pairing of descriptive, short text with colorful, funny illustrations. I love how you can see the individual cat hairs. Other Splat picture books include Splat the Cat, Merry Christmast Splat, Scaredy-Cat Splat, and Splish Splash Splat! There are also a series of Early/Level Readers as well.
Here is the trailer for Love, Splat.
This review is part of Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book series. Visit her site to see the other books recommended.
Thanks for the shout-out, Darshana!
I have to check out this Splat series…and Tara’s Ryan Gosling post is awe. some.
What a cute selection for Valentine’s Day. I still have not read any of the “Splat,” books. I think I need to get my hands on these, as I feel like I am really missing out! 🙂
it just a simple, fun read. nothing too deep but sweet and light-hearted.
I was just waiting for someone to put this up this week! I was undecided on which Valentines book to post and this was one of the alternates. I’m so glad you put it up – it’s such a great one! Thanks so much for sharing Splat 🙂
I love this book. I reviewed Splat the Cat, January 27th. I “heart” Splat!
http://pennyklostermann.com/2012/01/27/perfect-picture-book-friday/
Shoot, this one looks sooooo cute!
yes, it is adorably cute!
Darshana, what a great seection for Valentine’s Day. I loved the video — really cute. Like the message and I bet kids just have fun with the Splat series.
How cute is this book. Love the trailer, thanks for sharing it!!
Cute choice. I loved the title — I haven’t read the Splat books, so I was very intrigued when I saw the title of your post. I’m going to have to check this one out for my little girl who is on the shy side. Thanks Darshana!
I also recommend checking his Russell the Sheep books. I hope to review that series sometime soon.
What a perfect book for just before Valentine’s Day! Often, things are not what they seem, and sometimes that works out for the best. I love the cat’s name, Splat. Awesome.
I haven’t read any of the Splat books, either! Definitely going to check him out!
Yay, Valentine’s books. I love the illustrations.
We all love the “Splat the Cat” series in our family! I like the trailer! I am going try to get this book as a valentines present for my sister… SHHHHHHHHHHHH!
😉
Poor Splat! He looks like a fuzzy, little mess. Great choice for this week!
Great choice. And, I loved Tara’s Ryan Gosling thing too.
This book looks like sheer delight! Loved the trailer. (and thank you for explaining who Ryan Gosling is. I confess I’ve been wondering. Obviously I need to get out more! lol)
Its okay I didn’t recognize him by name either.
lol – Love Splat! He’s all that! 😉 Visiting from the Children’s Bookshelf! 🙂
I know the book is just a bundle of cuteness and awwww moments.
Aw, this looks like a cute book! Thanks for sharing and linking up with Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Thanks for stopping by. Splat is adorable.
How adorable! What a perfect picture book to read on Valentine’s Day! Thanks for the trailer too! Pinned it and tweeted it. Thank you also for linking up to the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
This is such a cute book. I also like the Splat book where he takes his mouse to school (can’t remember the name off the top of my head). Thanks for sharing at The Children’s Bookshelf.
Thanks Erika. The one with the mouse is good too, I think that might be the first book in the series.
I saw this one in the Scholastic book order but I couldn’t decide if I’d like it or not. It sounds very sweet and funny from your review. thanks for sharing!