MERCY WATSON FIGHTS CRIME
by Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press
ISBN-10: 0763625906
Ages 6-8
80 pages

You can't help but fall in love with Mercy Watson, the adorable pig/heroine of this story (and two previous, equally wonderful tales). The Watsons also love her. At night they tuck her into bed and sing her to slumberland. Then they sleep wonderfully well --- except for one night when Leroy Ninker, a small man with a big dream of being a cowboy, breaks into the Watson house to rob them. Gulp!

The first thing Leroy steals is Mercy's beloved toaster. Everyone knows that Mercy is a (literally) huge fan of toast with tons of butter slathered all over it (oh, yum!). Mercy loves toast so much that the sound of the toaster being moved in the kitchen wakes her from a deep sleep. She must find out who might be making toast in the middle of the night, so off she goes to investigate.

Meanwhile, Leroy is helping himself to all kinds of kitchen appliances and accessories while singing a little cowpoke song. Mercy, disappointed not to see any toast and still very drowsy, settles down on the kitchen floor. Leroy lullabies her to sleep with his "Yippie-i-oh" song. That's great for the thief, until Leroy decides to skedaddle. He simply cannot get around that enormous snoozing pig. Leroy tries to climb over her just as Mercy awakens. She smells butter and immediately runs off to see if someone in the neighborhood might have decided to bake a batch of nighttime cookies. Yippie-i-oh! Off they go, with Leroy riding Mercy.

As usual, Mercy's adventures include a colorful cast of characters: the elderly Lincoln Sisters, the toast-munching firemen, a familiar police officer, and Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who always know just what to serve for snacks. The plot is lively and original, and Mercy is a most endearing heroine. This is yet another absolutely delightful and fresh Mercy Watson story, hilariously illustrated by Chris Van Dusen --- and it's a must for either young readers or parental read-alouds.

Now I'm off to make myself some toast with a great deal of butter on it!

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

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