My Funny Valentine... Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine by Rob Scotton

"REMEMBER FOR TOMORROW, CLASS," SAID MRS. WIMPYDIMPLE.

"DON'T FORGET TO BRING IN SOMETHING FOR A SPECIAL VALENTINE."

You might think that Splat's tail would be twitching anxiously, as usual, worrying that his sometime-rival Spike is going to sweep the lovely Kitten off her feet with his special Valentine.

But not this time.

In this lift-the-flap Splat holiday adventure, Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine (Harper Festival, 2012), Splat wants to surprise someone else who is special--to all of them--Mrs. Wimpydimple.

In a fold-down flap, Splat reveals his carefully-formatted plan for a surprise party for their teacher. Kitten is to make the cookies, Splat will provide the poem for the Valentine card, and Spike is responsible for the arts and crafts supplies.

"MEET AT THE CLUBHOUSE!" SPLAT SAYS.

At their rendezvous, the door opens to the secret knock to reveal Spike with stacks of supplies ready for the project, and everyone gets to work. Kitten is even sewing a mouse-sized costume for Splat's sidekick, Seymour the Mouse, who is also making something special from a ball of pink ribbon.

Finally the project is finished and sits on its decorative stand, draped in a mysterious black cloth. The conspirators are pleased and excited.

"THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST VALENTINE'S DAY EVER!" SAYS SPLAT.

What is under the flap with the black drape concealing it? What is Mrs. Wimpydimple's special Valentine surprise? Young readers will be eager to find out what those purr-fect cat conspirators have prepared for the class party, in this happy Valentine tale from Splat's creator Rob Scotten and his cohorts, writer Annie Auerbach and the artists at Splat the Cat Studio. This holiday treat makes a sure-fire classroom read and lead-in to Valentine crafts. Sturdy and extremely well-designed, using a variety of perspectives in their flap formats to maximize suspense, this one also makes a nice Valentine gift for young readers and their teachers. For a Valentine's twosome, pair this one with Scotton's other heart-y treat, Love, Splat (Splat the Cat). (See review here.)