A Piglet Named Mercy
By Angela Zimmerman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cute picture book origin story of popular series pig.
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What's the Story?
In A PIGLET NAMED MERCY, Mr. and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives in an ordinary town. They spend their days tending to their home and yard and find themselves a bit bored (and boring) until one morning they open their front door to a new surprise -- a piglet! Despite the horrified reaction of their cranky old neighbor Eugenia, and with the love and support of her sister Baby, Mr. and Mrs. Watson invite the piglet into their family. Their lives would never be called "ordinary" again.
Is It Any Good?
With bright, funny illustrations and a simple, clear storyline, kids will be delighted by the story of how a piglet came into the home of a normal couple and changed their lives forever. A Piglet Named Mercy introduces preschoolers to the popular Mercy Watson books by bestselling author Kate DiCamillo. The next door neighbors -- sisters Eugenia and Baby -- add a comical dimension to the story, especially the bright-blue-hued Eugenia and the outrage she expresses over the piglet. Baby is a tender soul who immediately embraces Mercy and the Watson's decision to tend to her like a human baby of their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how adopting a stray animal looks in A Piglet Named Mercy. If an animal wandered up to your house, would you want to take it in? Would you treat it as a pet or a family member? What's the difference?
Talk about Eugenia and her sister Baby's reactions to Mercy. Why is Eugenia horrified by the new addition to her neighbor's family? How does Baby feel?
Do you think Mercy is a good name for the piglet? Why or why not? What other names do you think would be a good fit for the little pig?
Book Details
- Author: Kate DiCamillo
- Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Book Characters, Horses and Farm Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: April 2, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: May 28, 2019
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