Christmas Countdown
(Splat the Cat)

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. The brief text follows Splat's holiday preparations, which include decorating a Charlie Brown-worthy tree, wrapping presents (and himself with ribbon), and falling asleep just as Santa drops down the chimney. Chock full of holiday reds and greens, Scotton's high-spirited illustrations are the main draw, though aside from Splat's gift-wrapping misadventures, there isn't much in the way of outsize mischief in this mild story. Up to age 4. (Oct.)