What's That Splat? by Johanna Bell, illustrated by Amelia Luscombe (Thames & Hudson 2026) HB RRP $ 24.99 ISBN: 9781760764821
Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes
Sometimes a splat is just a splat, but sometimes a splat is much more than that!
The creative duo behind What
is a Dot?' have returned with another excellent book for children (aged 2+
years).
With its rounded corners and extra-thick, glossy pages, What's That Splat? sets off the moment you open the cover, and with every page turn takes you on a fun, playful and creative journey,
The idea is simple. Here is a splat, and what do you see? Inspired by the famous Rorschach inkblot test (used by psychologists to analyse the associations people make when shown a series of splotchy inkblots), this brilliant book invites young children to look at a splat and see what creatures or objects they might find within them.
Joanna Bell's fun and lively text is a pleasure to read (my only minor quibble in an otherwise spotless rhyming text is for the couple of times where near-rhyme words are used). The theme is well presented. It creates intrigue and sparks curiosity. It hints at and asks questions. But never tells.
But wait a minute, what's that splat? Is it this? Or is it that?
One of the wonderful things about splats is that their outcomes are completely unpredictable — each splat made becomes an open-ended surprise. What's That Splat? has cleverly harnessed this surprise element by challenging and inspiring children to transform blank splats into something exciting and new. They will learn that splats can come in all shapes and sizes and can even do amazing things like roar and squeak!
Amelia Luscombe's illustrations are bright, happy and delightfully naïve — perfectly mirroring the openness and joy of Johanna Bell's narrative as she brings the splats to life. Bold colours in a palette of red, yellow, blue, black, white and brown are effectively used to make up the large 'free-range' splat shapes — while thoughtfully added, minimal lines suggest which creature or object might be found in each splat. Every element on every page is well balanced and incredibly pleasing to the eye. I'm a fan of it all.
With instantly appealing words and pictures — inspiring young imaginations to run riot and get creative, What's That Splat? is bound to be on high rotation! So grown-ups, be sure to have paint pots and plenty of paper on hand, as kids will be splat-action ready after reading this!
What will your splat
become?
