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Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson, Book 1) (by Kate DiCamillo)

common sense media says

Pig's first easy reader misses the mark.

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Parents need to know that there's nothing offensive about this book.

Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson, Book 1)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the misunderstandings that lead to ultimate success, and the interesting way the pig is treated like a child rather than an animal, which annoys at least one neighbor.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Mercy is a pig who is treated like a child by her doting owners. She is tucked into bed with a song, fed toast with lots of butter, and when she is scared at night she snuggles into bed with Mr. and Mrs. Watson. When the bed begins to fall through a hole in the floor (presumably from the weight) and Mercy jumps out, they assume she is going for help. But she's just a pig after all, and is really looking for hot buttered toast. But her crabby neighbor calls the fire department to get rid of her, leading to their rescue after all.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Newbery-winning author Kate DiCamillo tries something new here, with this first in a series of easy readers for children making the transition to chapter books. While it could be a fun read-aloud for a 5-year-old, many 8-year-olds will find it insipid, with it's brighter-than-bright gouache paintings of goofy people (and a pig) with candy-apple cheeks and red noses that make them look like they've been hitting the sauce.

Younger children, however, will enjoy the hilarity of the grumpy neighbor chasing Mercy while wearing curlers and a bathrobe while the Watsons, with exaggerated expressions of terror, rock in their slowly collapsing bed like a sinking ship in a storm. Adults, though, can be excused from wondering what might have been. The field of transitional readers is a barren one, and if a talented author such as DiCamillo could combine the power of her older books with a more limited vocabulary and length, that would be something to cheer about.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication date: October 22, 2005
Number of pages: 68
Hardcover price: $12.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 6
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Jdawg
adult
 
A fun wonderfully illustrated story for kids and adults.
I've been reading this to my kids for years. I love the characters - there are lots of great voices to be created from these stories. I've been reading it to my son's kindergarten class. We are celebrating the last book by having a buttered toast party (Mercy's favorite food). A very enjoyable series.
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