Secret Agent Splat!: A Humorous Mystery About Courage and Rising to the Challenge for Kids (Ages 4-8)

Splat the Cat #6

by Rob Scotton

Who messed with my ducks? Splat the Cat notices that something isn’t quite right in his house. First his father’s duck decoys start to go missing. Then they are mysteriously returned but, strangely enough, without their beaks! Who could possibly be causing all of this trouble? To solve the mystery, Splat musters up his courage and rises to the challenge as Secret Agent Splat. This wacky cat-and-mouse story from bestselling author and illustrator Rob Scotton will have readers laughing from beginning to end.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Mystery, Animals, Fiction, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2012

About the author

Rob Scotton is the bestselling author and illustrator of "Russell the Sheep," and "Russell and the Lost Treasure." His latest book, "Splat the Cat" is the story of a young cat facing all the wonders and worries of his first day at cat school. Rob's work can also be found on greeting cards, ceramics, textiles, prints, stationery, and glassware. An honors graduate of Leicester Polytechnic, Rob now lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a huge fan of Splat the Cat, but our girls love these books. The cat is fuzzy and adorable and the stories have some innocent charm, but I was frustrated by the seemingly vapid churning out of books in order to capitalize on a popular character. There have been eight books published in the last year or so and many of them weren't even written by Rob Scotton. I was not impressed.

But then we borrowed this book from the library and I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Scotton as the true author. I was even more pleasantly surprised to see an entertaining story and even more, a chance to solve a puzzle in the front of the book, using the "duck code" printed in the back. Our girls really liked this story, and for a change, so did I. I really enjoyed listening to our girls read this book aloud to me.

Oh, yeah - I loved The Beatles reference, too.

[Heather McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Splat puts on his investigative hat to solve a crime centered around his beloved toy ducks. Not an overly memorable read.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story would be enjoyed for all primary ages and is about Splat who sets out to discover the cause of his father’s toy ducks disappearing. He creates a trap and a spy kit, which children could discuss what they would take with them to solve a mystery in certain situations. He discovers that mouse is taking them but the cat is returning them which explains the puzzle. However, mouse is only doing it as he’s lonely and wants a friend. This could be discussed in PSHE about friendship and helping each other.

[Karīna _a_pleasure_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brīnišķīga grāmatiņa par Runča Punča piedzīvojumiem. Skaistas ilustrācijas, jautri un smieklīgi stāstiņi. Bērns bija sajūsmā.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for ‘Secret Agent Splat’ by Rob Scotton

This book is about a cat named Splat whose dad makes toy ducks. Splat thinks very highly of the toy ducks and he keeps a careful eye on them where they are kept in the garden shed. One day he realises that one of the ducks are missing then the next it returns but a different duck goes missing. Each time one of the ducks are returned their nose is missing. Splat now needs to find out who is taking the toy ducks and so he has to investigate. He eventually sets up his own trap to find out who the culprit is and he finds out it is a mouse who had been taking the ducks as he wanted a friend to have tea with.

I feel that the book would be a story to read to the class for the enjoyment factor of the children guessing who may have taken the toy ducks. More so I feel that this book could be appealing for children to read alone as physically turning the pages may enhance the element of suspense.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definite: I love Scotton's illustrations--especially the humor he puts in them. This story was fun and silly, as are the other Scotton works I've read. My favorite part was the top-secret gizmo. I could totally tell what it was, and guessed correctly how Splat would use it. But that didn't take away from how hilarious it was to see come about on page. And the gizmo had a trick that I didn't know about--which made me laugh all over again.

This could be a fun school-age storytime read, and a great lap-read and read-alone.

[Maddypictures · Rating 2 out of 5]

Splat wants to solve the mystery of why his ducks' bills are going missing. The story didn't make a lot of sense - many of the characters just pop in with very little introduction, but then again, I haven't really followed the series. I loved Splat's rambling notes on his "cunning plan" to catch the culprit. There's a fun "top secret" duck code on the end pages that I think kids will dig.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The case of the missing wooden ducks can only be solved by the very brilliant Secret Agent Splat. The fact that the ducks names are John, Paul, George, and Ringo only add to the cool factor of this book. :)

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part about this book is the illustrations! Reading the book feels like you're watching a movie.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this children's book, Splat the Cat loves his collection of toy ducks. But one day he recognized that ducks were missing their beaks one by one. So, he started to investigate the disappearance of the toy ducks and solved the problem.
Mysteries can be an intriguing topic for children as it causes them to guess what may happen next and how issues could be solved. Splat the Cat set a trap to catch the person of interest. I also liked the duck code, a code created in this story, on the front and back endpapers representing characteristics of detectives. The illustrations are not exquisite, but cute enough to attract child readers’ attention.

[Beth Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spat's dad makes ducks, and Splat has them in all colors until he realizes that one is missing! The next day, he sees the missing duck is back but without a beak and another one is missing! What is happening to his ducks! He needs to investigate and see who is doing this! Enter in Secret Agent Splat and he is on the case looking for clues. Secret Agent Splat begins to look for clues to get to the bottom of this!
A formula fiction book, part of a larger Splat series, is a silly book that students are bound to love. This would be a great book to use for first, next, then, and last sequencing as well as critical thinking skills in early readers. Love this series!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of both mysteries and of Splat (and floofy kitties in general), this was sure to be a win for me. I love the humor Scotton puts into his pictures - like how Splat is Secret Agent 003 1/2! Parents should be sure to take a look at some of those details while they're reading with their kids.

This is also a good one for a storytime. The Splat series in general has nice big pictures (good for a group audience), a silly sense of humor, and sweet characters. This one would be a good fit for storytimes on cats, ducks, mysteries, or on friendship.

[Elizabeth Blaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Splat the Cat book and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was adorable that Splat had a collection of toy ducks that his dad made him and that he had to turn detective to investigate what happened to some of their beaks. I also found it fun that there was a twist ending; You think that the other cat is going to be the culprit but not only is that false but he was covering for his little mouse friend. AND, the mouse just wanted a friend and Splat helped solve that problem. All around cute book.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book a 4 star rating.

This book is about Splat and the case of the missing duck. This leads to Splat trying to figure out a way to who has been taking his ducks from the sheds. Splat finally founds the mystery men who was actually Spike's mouse. The mouse was just taking it because he wanted a friend. Finally, Splat became a friends with everyone.

Ways to use this in a classroom
1) Mystery Unit
2) Lesson about friendship
3) Deceives units

[Esmeralda Chaidez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute I recommend this book to everyone. I would use this book to show my students remembering and introduce them to colors. I would have them create their very own toy and ask them to place it some where in the room then I would hide them and have them come try to find it but they would have to build a case of their own.

[Trinity Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This humorous and cute book would be one that I will add to my library. I think the whole Agent Splat series are fun books to read to your children and especially his one. It teaches the reader what friendships are as well as how to fix personal problems that you may face. This would be a god read aloud or story time for your children/students!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone has been stealing the ducks his dad makes. Even more peculiar is that when they are returned, they are all missing their beaks. Secret Agent Splat is on the case. A fun romp with a happy ending.

[Morgan Pyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several "Splat" books and this one is one of my favorites. Splat becomes a detective to solve the mystery of the missing beaks. When he discovers who is behind this mystery he also discovers how to be a friend!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splat must turn secret agent in order to discover who is messing with his collection of duck decoys. Loyal mouse friend Seymour, codenamed S, is backing Secret Agent Splat all the way.
Not only is the mystery finally revealed, but so is the power of friendship for one and all.

[Abby Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I feel like this book could allow kids to go on an adventure to find their missing items or make up a scavenger hunt and allow them to be secret agents. I loved the photos as well.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read, love reading about Splat and friends!!

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute book about finding the missing toys. A bit on the longer side for storytime but still enjoyable.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Splat the cat will probably enjoy this one. It’s funny with a twist ending.

My favorite part is the look on the duck’s faces when they are missing their beaks.

Kids liked this book.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special Agent Splat is looking for the culprit who is taking the ducks.

[IUS-F19 Bryce Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with young kids. The cat puts his investigative hat on and tries to solve.

[Sandra Vilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as always with the Splat series.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

SMART 2020

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter really enjoyed the "mystery" in this one.

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed reading this!