Love, Splat

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?

In this funny follow-up to Splat the Cat, Rob Scotton captures the highs and lows of a first crush with humor and understanding.

Children's Literature

Splat, the black cat, returns on Valentine's Day. Along with the cards he has made for everyone in his class, he has crafted a special one for white Kitten. He likes her "more than fish sticks and ice cream." But whenever she sees him she teases him and runs away. He sets out for school, so preoccupied when rounding a corner that he runs right into Kitten. Again she teases and he is puzzled. During recess at school, Spike, a tough cat in a striped jersey, spots the special Valentine addressed to Kitten and insists that he likes her more. He even has a much bigger card for her. Splat groans, sighs, and throws his away. To his surprise, Kitten retrieves it, then gives him one with a poem inside, along with words that echo his and make him smile: "I like you." On the front end page sits Splat on a bench, alone except for a small mouse. The mouse follows Splat around, sometimes on a bicycle, but on the back end page it is just Splat and Kitten. Splat is a bulky, rectangular furry feline with skinny arms and legs and white eyes set close together. The comic illustrations are mainly in shades of black and white, with touches of red for Splat and pink for Kitten. A small black cloud rains on Splat when he is particularly puzzled. Except for the action around the schoolyard, there are few props. Perhaps this story may help youngsters through their first crush. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Rob Scotton is the bestselling author and illustrator of Splat the Cat; Love, Splat; Merry Christmas, Splat; Russell the Sheep; Russell and the Lost Treasure; and Russell's Christmas Magic. He lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.