Splat and the Cool School Trip

K-Gr 2—Scotton's googly-eyed characters and fluid, fun-filled artwork are as vibrant as ever. The cat and his classmates are headed for the zoo, and even the fact that he must leave his friend, Seymour, behind (because elephants are afraid of mice) can't dampen Splat's excitement about seeing his favorite animals: penguins! Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. Not one to be cowed, Seymour brushes up on his paper-airplane skills and makes an unexpected airborne entrance, crash-landing on the elephant's trunk. The petrified pachyderm crashes into the penguin pool, resulting in the exhibit's closure and a very disappointed Splat. Remorseful, Seymour secretly rounds up the penguins, transports them home on the roof of the school bus, and quietly sneaks them into Splat's tub, providing a surprise that turns the feline's frown into a smile. Comical close-ups and dynamic action scenes alternate to keep events moving quickly. Children will chuckle as a dejected Splat watches TV, clutching a stuffed penguin tightly in his arms, while the "real" birds tiptoe up the stairs behind him. In addition to satisfying series fans, this tale makes a lighthearted precursor to an actual class visit to a zoo.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal