Mercy Watson To The Rescue

Mercy Watson to the Rescue. Kate DiCamillo. 2005. Candlewick Press. 80 pages.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy. Each night, they sing Mercy to sleep.

Can a pig save her human 'parents'? That is the question raised in Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson To The Rescue. Why do Mr. and Mrs. Watson need to be rescued? Well, Mercy herself--if she could do more than oink--might tell you if you could get her mind off food. You see, it all starts one night when Mercy becomes frightened. She runs and jumps in the Watsons' bed. And there the trouble starts. All three are sleeping, dreaming busy little dreams, unaware that danger is lurking!

What does Mercy dream of? Whether asleep or awake, Mercy's mind is always, always on food. In particular, her favorite food, lovely buttered toast. But can Mercy's weakness lead to some saving strength?

I liked this one. Kate DiCamillo's writing is charming.

The Lincoln Sisters live next door to the Watson.
Eugenia Lincoln is the older sister.
She has many opinions.
One of Eugenia's opinions is that pigs should not live in houses.
Eugenia often says, "Listen closely to me, Baby. Pigs are farm animals. They belong on farms. They do not belong in houses."
"Yes, Sister," says Baby.
Baby Lincoln is the younger sister.
She is the baby of the family.
Baby agrees with everything Eugenia says.
It is easier that way.
But secretly, Baby has an opinion of her own.
Baby's opinion is that Mercy is good company. (26-27)

This is the first in the Mercy Watson series for young readers.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers