The Splatters Learn Some Manners
Written by Marty Mokler Banks
Illustrated by Cecilia Rébora
Harvest House Publishers, 2009
Suitable for: Ages 3 and up
Theme/Topic: Manners, Rhyme
Opening: The Splatters are messy,
Disheveled, uncouth.
So vulgar and sloppy,
It’s just the sad truth.
Brief Synopsis: The Splatters are a messy family until they get an invitation from the Duches to join her for a family dinner. The catch? The family needs to clean up their home and themselves plus learn some manners. Activity pages from School Express on Manners.
Link to Resources: I’m terrible at singing with my son, but I found this site which includes two manners songs.
Why I chose this book: I mentioned the author Marty in a post about the local SCBWI group. She released a chapter book and as I encouraged people to scoop up her book for free, I found The Splatters on Amazon. I found a copy at the local library to check out the first time Enzo and I read it. Now, we own a copy.
The illustrations are rich in color and show a quirky multi-generational family. It’s a feast of words and pictures.
For more picture books and resources, please check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
Julie Rowan-Zoch
I like the fact that disheveled, uncouth, and vulgar can be found on the first page of a PB!
Stacy S. Jensen
I love uncouth.
Cathy Mealey
What!!! One exclamation point per 100,000 words!!! Are you kidding??!!!
Seriously, looks like a fun book for learning manners. Kids really do want to be taught to is right/wrong in terms of behavior.
Stacy S. Jensen
Cathy, It’s really a rule from a non-fiction critique group, but I try to keep them in check with blog posts too. We’re in the middle of manner training. Sigh.
Susanna Leonard Hill
This looks like my kind of book! There’s something about it that reminds me of the Dumb Bunnies and The Stupids – it looks like fun (with a little education about manners thrown in – what’s not to like? :)) Thanks for a great pick, Stacy. And here are a few exclamation points from me – I break that rule with abandon all the time 🙂 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacy S. Jensen
Oh Susanna! The first time I was in a critique for PB and saw all the !!!! I had to change gears from non-fiction to picture books.
catherinemjohnson
Splat!
Stacy S. Jensen
Indeed!
pennyklostermann.com
How fun is this? I love the lines you included in your review! Fun rhyme! Thanks for the great review!
Stacy S. Jensen
Very fun Penny!
Kirsten Larson
What a fun way to teach kids’ manners. I hope I can find this book.
Stacy S. Jensen
I hope so too Kirsten.
Karen S. Elliott
This looks like a great book. I love the “teaching” books, especially about manners! And new words – like vulgar and uncouth. Most children don’t find those words in normal conversation at home.
Stacy S. Jensen
Karen, I’ll have to add “uncouth” to my future parenting notes. So Enzo can use it about me. 🙂
Heather
Uncouth – such a fabulous word. I’ll be checking this one out for sure. Thanks, Stacy!
Beth Stilborn
This book looks like a great way to have a fun read and sneak manner-learning in under the radar. Thanks for sharing — and all the best with the manner-teaching with Mr. Enzo.
Joanna
I love how the author has not shied away from big words! Uncouth! Vulgar! Love!
clarbojahn
I agree with Joanna. Seems like we have to abide with children’s vocabulary when writing but this author has not in the slightest. One discussion with your kids could be taking down the dictionary and looking up the big words. 🙂
This Kid Reviews Books
This sounds really funny! I really like the cover art!
Julie Hedlund
Sounds fun and funny. Will have to check it out!
Patricia T.
Love the cover art — so quirky — and the opening. Like authors who are brave! Have a friend who is buying books for her 2 1/2-year-old nephew. Told I was going to turn to you and Enzo for references because you find some gems. This is one of them.
Susanne Drazic
Cute cover! Sounds like a fun book to read.
I’ve never heard of the exclamation rule before. Guess I use way too many exclamation points, according to that rule!
: )
mikeallegra.com
I do so love the vocab in this one!
Tracy Campbell
The first lines of the book hooked me.
And thank you, Stacy for signing up again on my new blog. By the way, you were the first. 🙂
Susan Oloier
Great opening lines!
Debbie Maxwell Allen
Marty is quite the talented person! So glad to have met her.
~Debbie
Barbara
You can never have enough books on manners … at least in a classroom full of 5 and 6 year olds — ha ha. Thanks for sharing.
❀Barbara❀
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