A Piglet Named Mercy

by Kate DiCamillo, Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The most rambunctious piglet's origin story. Whether you've previously met Mercy Watson or not, the time is nigh to welcome her free spirit into your life.

The instant New York Times bestseller!

Every porcine wonder was once a piglet! Celebrate the joy of a new arrival with this endearing picture-book prequel to the New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson series.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive — and the Watsons’ lives will never be the same.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763677534
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/02/2019
Series:	Mercy Watson Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for young readers, including the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. Her books Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux both received Newbery Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, she lives in Minneapolis.

Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including The Circus Ship and Hattie & Hudson, and the illustrator of the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. He lives in Maine.

Hometown:

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date of Birth:

March 25, 1964

Place of Birth:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Education:

B.A. in English, University of Florida at Gainesville, 1987

Editorial Reviews

2019-02-17

To paraphrase an immortal spider, Mercy is some pig.

Mercy Watson, a "small and not at all ordinary" pig, is already the star of six early chapter books, well-known for her love of buttered toast and, of course, of Mr. and Mrs. Watson, the white couple who care for her. But how did Mercy come to live with the Watsons? And how did they discover her love for buttered toast? Written simply for the pre-chapter-book audience, with big, bright, often full-spread illustrations, this picture book offers an introduction to Mercy, "the porcine wonder," with all the dramatic expressions and gentle humor of the chapter books and some irresistible pig cuteness sprinkled in for extra charm. Vivid colors cause each illustration to pop, with a retro style to the Watsons' rosy cheeks, classic car, and rather traditional gender roles (Mrs. Watson vacuums, Mr. Watson polishes the car). An unnamed interracial family seen through a window references two characters introduced as school-age children in the fourth installment of the chapter-book series: Frank and Stella, he as a toddler and she as a baby. Since the target audience for this outing will have no familiarity with them, their presence mostly serves to underscore the otherwise all-white human cast.

Younger siblings of the Mercy chapter-book lovers will find their way into the series with this first look, written just for them. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews

The popular early-reader series about Mercy the pig gets an origin story in this delightful picture book...As in the previous books, the gouache illustrations are polished to a sheen, and happily here have more room to shine. The book's vintage look suits the story well and is sure to entice readers. Old friends and new fans will appreciate this; bring on the toast.
—Booklist

To paraphrase an immortal spider, Mercy is some pig...Younger siblings of the Mercy chapter-book lovers will find their way into the series with this first look, written just for them.
—Kirkus Reviews

As ever, Van Dusen’s bright colors and bold characterization joyfully accompany DiCamillo’s story, this time of new and evolving familial love. Established fans will find plenty to appreciate here, while newcomers will be charmed, making this a natural stepping stone to the original series.
—Publishers Weekly

Van Dusen’s exemplary gouache illustrations perfectly capture the personalities of each character, especially the rambunctious and adorable Mercy. Although not a beginning reader like the rest of the series, this Mercy Watson picture book will appeal to her many fans and will serve as a great introduction for younger children.
—School Library Journal

Van Dusen's gouache illustrations hit astronomical heights on the adorability meter, and readers will squee-al in delight as rosy-hued baby Mercy bounces through the world on the tips of her tiny trotters. Whether smiling out of her swaddling blanket or flying upside-down and startled from the back of a swine truck, this little piggy is sure to win as many friends among the pre-literate crowd as she has among early readers. Here's hoping mini-Mercy returns for more adventures.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers

Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, who also did the pictures for Ms. DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson early-reader series, this charmer relates how it was that a pig came to live in the immaculate precincts of Deckawoo Drive with the adoring and indulgent Mr. and Mrs. Watson…The bubble-gum colors and shiny surfaces of Mr. Van Dusen’s pictures (see below) make Mercy’s whole world look as though it’s made of fondant—fair enough, because it’s a very sweet place.
—The Wall Street Journal

From the Publisher

Cheerful music starts off this audiobook prequel introducing pre-chapter-book listeners to the porcine wonder Mercy Watson. Mercy, the Watsons’ irresistible pet piglet, is well known from Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning early chapter book series, and this origin story reveals how she came to live at Deckawoo Drive. Narrator Mark Bramhall conveys the gentle humor and charm of the sweet story, creating distinct voices for Mr. and Mrs. Watson and kind, sensitive Baby Lincoln and an especially funny nasal voice to express the disapproval of prim Eugenie. Younger siblings of Mercy’s chapter book fans will be thrilled to have their own story and eager to hear the rest of the series. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile

Cheerful music starts off this audiobook prequel introducing pre-chapter-book listeners to the porcine wonder Mercy Watson. Mercy, the Watsons’ irresistible pet piglet, is well known from Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning early chapter book series, and this origin story reveals how she came to live at Deckawoo Drive. Narrator Mark Bramhall conveys the gentle humor and charm of the sweet story, creating distinct voices for Mr. and Mrs. Watson and kind, sensitive Baby Lincoln and an especially funny nasal voice to express the disapproval of prim Eugenie. Younger siblings of Mercy’s chapter book fans will be thrilled to have their own story and eager to hear the rest of the series. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile