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 ...

"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.

Splat and Spike have just one more house to hit up on Halloween night—the spooky one. Unfortunately, their mouse friend Seymour hightails it inside, leaving Splat and Spike to navigate the ...