Working in the same edgy style of his Russell the Sheep books, Scotton once again wrests new opportunities for humor from a well-worn theme, this time training his sights on first-day-of-school ...

A pine tree with prickly Velcro-like hooks, a gold foil star, and satiny yellow ribbon are a few of the textural elements spicing up this Christmas board book featuring Scotton’s popular black cat.

"Splat the Cat" author Rob Scotton with Kidsday reporters Amanda Peluso and Diana Hadjiyane at the Barnes and Noble Store in Carle Place Credit: Newsday Photo/Pat Mullooly Because they’re friends.