This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review

Splat the Cat wants to be the scariest cat in his class. However, this is difficult when Splat is scared of things himself. He’s scared of things like spiders with their scary eyes. When he decides the spider is not as scary as he originally thought, he wants to take the spider to school to go alone with his scary witch’s hat costume. His costume is ruined, so he has to change his costume and no one thinks his new costume or his jack-o-lantern are scary. Lucky for Splat, there are still opportunities for him to earn the award for being the scariest cat at Cat School.

This books add a fun spooky (but not too spooky) addition to the bestselling series about Splat the Cat. Kids will find the illustrations cute and the story funny, but adults might find the lack of clear lessons for young readers to be disappointing. The vocabulary stays simple so that it can be understood by young readers. This book would make a good addition to a classroom or for a bedtime story around the time of Halloween for some silly seasonal fun. ( )

37 months - A quick silly read that O liked because well... The main character is a cat. Say no more. ( )

Splat found a spider and wanted to bring it to class. Splat dressed up for Halloween as a spider. The next day no one thought Splat was scary at school. During class the spider got out and a jack-o-lantern fell on Splats head. Everyone know thought Splat was scary.

Rob Scotton - creator of the Splat the Cat series, as well as the Russell the Sheep books - is turning out to be another one of those hit-or-miss authors for me. After a largely indifferent reaction to the initial Splat title (Splat the Cat), but moderate enjoyment of the second two (Love, Splat and Merry Christmas, Splat), I was curious to see what I would make of this, the fourth installment of our intrepid feline hero's adventures. Unfortunately, it turns out that Scaredy-Cat, Splat! falls into the indifferent category.

The story of Splat's efforts to win the prize for being the scariest cat at Halloween, it features the same mad-cap antics and fuzzily cute illustrations as the other books. But somehow, the whole thing just fell flat for me. It's not that there was anything wrong with it, from either a textual or artistic standpoint, it just wasn't very interesting. I confess that I'm disappointed, not least because, having now liked two Splat books, and been indifferent to two, I'm inevitably going to have to take a look at the next one, if for no other reason that to break the "tie." Why on earth do I do this to myself...? ( )

Back in 2008, Splat the cat burst onto the scene with his first adventure. Since that time he has fallen in love and enjoyed a Merry Christmas. Now, Splat is ready to celebrate Halloween and wishing to be the scarriest cat at the school party. Can he do it?! With his ever present mouse friend Seymour and wise advice from his mom, Splat heads off to school determined to scare.

Scotton's latest Splat adventure is begging to be read aloud with all the enthusiasm and dramatics befitting this funny feline. This is a welcome addition to Halloween titles, suitable for preschool through 1st grade.

The tale is told supported by Scotton's own adorable wide eyed illustrations, that will illicit giggles and grins. Couple this with Boo to you! by Lois Ehlert for some gentle halloween fun for little ones.
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