MERCY WATSON TO THE RESCUE
by Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763622702
Ages 6-8
80 pages

MERCY WATSON TO THE RESCUE is a rollicking romp of a story about a beloved young pig named Mercy who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson in a comfortable family home. Mercy finds adventure and excitement at every turn in his simple suburban neighborhood when all he wants is some hot buttered toast.

Mercy, the pig, is a single-minded, simple creature. His love for hot buttered toast and his quest to find a snack sets the stage for all kinds of adventure. When Mercy jumps into bed with his owners, the Watsons, the bed begins sinking into the floor.  The Watsons think Mercy is running for help when he jumps off the bed. What they don't know is that he is hunting for hot buttered toast. Mercy sets off late at night through the neighborhood and stirs up all kinds of trouble. Will Mercy get help for the Watsons, or will he just fulfill his late night craving for toast?

Mercy meets up with kind Baby Lincoln and her cranky older sister, Eugenia Lincoln, on his late night travels. MERCY WATSON TO THE RESCUE is filled with plenty of good clean fun and hijinks. It is short enough to be enjoyed in one evening like a picture book or spread out over several evenings if a young child is just learning to read.

Kate DiCamillo is a very talented and versatile author. This new series about Mercy is aimed at a much younger audience than her previous novels, which include the much loved BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE and the Newbery Award-winning THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX. I think that younger readers will enjoy her storytelling just as much as older elementary school kids have. Chris Van Dusen adds to the enjoyment of the story with his colorful, sunny illustrations, which bring the character of Mercy to life.

Young readers will gobble up each new installment of this series just like Mercy gobbles up his hot buttered toast every morning.

   --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.