The amiable Mercy Watson takes an automobile ride she'll never forget in the second tale of an ebullient first chapter-book series by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" – and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel! Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix!
SELECTION ALA Notable Children's Book
HONOR Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
With power-charged vocabulary, unexpected twists and turns, and glossy cartoon artwork, this rollicking tale is fuel-injected with humor. —SLJ’s Curriculum Connections
The rich vocabulary of the text, the retro look of the illustrations (including the pink 1959 Cadillac they drive), and the sheer fun of the tale will delight young children. —Childhood Education
Fans of Mercy Watson will be happy to hear Kate DiCamillo has a new book in her series. —Detroit Free Press
The story is funny and the art is even funnier. —Advocate, The (Baton Rouge)
DiCamillo underscores her incredible range with another Mercy Watson book, as silly and satisfying as the first. —San Francisco Chronicle
Certain to surprise and delight young readers. —Working Mother Magazine
Van Dusen’s larger-than-life characters and retro sensibility extend the dry humor of the situation, and his shiny, rainbow-bright gouache art shoots the energy, especially Mercy’s, right off the page. Great for emergent readers. —Booklist
The second installment in the 'Mercy Watson' series, this choice is certain to produce lots of smiles and laughter. —Syndicated Column - Kendal Rautzhan
A fresh, fun-filled must-have for those looking to spiff up beginning-chapter-book collections. —School Library Journal
A spirited outing. . . . Chris Van Dusen’s spirited illustrations add to the unbridled fun. —Sacramento Bee
Kate DiCamillo is the author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, which received the Newbery Medal; BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, which received a Newbery Honor; and THE TIGER RISING, which was named a National Book Award Finalist. She says, "Mercy Watson had been in my head for a long time, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her story. One day, my friend Alison was going on and on and on about the many virtues of toast. As I listened to her, I could see Mercy nodding in emphatic agreement. Sometimes you don't truly understand a character until you know what she loves above all else."
View titles by Kate DiCamillo
Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of DOWN TO THE SEA WITH MR. MAGEE, A CAMPING SPREE WITH MR. MAGEE, and IF I BUILT A CAR. He says, "When I first read Mercy Watson to the Rescue, the characters were very vivid in my mind, and they just came to life when I started painting. This is exactly the type of story I love to illustrate – a wonderfully silly adventure with lots of action." This is his first book with Candlewick Press.
View titles by Chris Van Dusen
The amiable Mercy Watson takes an automobile ride she'll never forget in the second tale of an ebullient first chapter-book series by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" – and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel! Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix!
Awards
SELECTION ALA Notable Children's Book
HONOR Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Praise
With power-charged vocabulary, unexpected twists and turns, and glossy cartoon artwork, this rollicking tale is fuel-injected with humor. —SLJ’s Curriculum Connections
The rich vocabulary of the text, the retro look of the illustrations (including the pink 1959 Cadillac they drive), and the sheer fun of the tale will delight young children. —Childhood Education
Fans of Mercy Watson will be happy to hear Kate DiCamillo has a new book in her series. —Detroit Free Press
The story is funny and the art is even funnier. —Advocate, The (Baton Rouge)
DiCamillo underscores her incredible range with another Mercy Watson book, as silly and satisfying as the first. —San Francisco Chronicle
Certain to surprise and delight young readers. —Working Mother Magazine
Van Dusen’s larger-than-life characters and retro sensibility extend the dry humor of the situation, and his shiny, rainbow-bright gouache art shoots the energy, especially Mercy’s, right off the page. Great for emergent readers. —Booklist
The second installment in the 'Mercy Watson' series, this choice is certain to produce lots of smiles and laughter. —Syndicated Column - Kendal Rautzhan
A fresh, fun-filled must-have for those looking to spiff up beginning-chapter-book collections. —School Library Journal
A spirited outing. . . . Chris Van Dusen’s spirited illustrations add to the unbridled fun. —Sacramento Bee
Author
Kate DiCamillo is the author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, which received the Newbery Medal; BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, which received a Newbery Honor; and THE TIGER RISING, which was named a National Book Award Finalist. She says, "Mercy Watson had been in my head for a long time, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her story. One day, my friend Alison was going on and on and on about the many virtues of toast. As I listened to her, I could see Mercy nodding in emphatic agreement. Sometimes you don't truly understand a character until you know what she loves above all else."
View titles by Kate DiCamillo
Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of DOWN TO THE SEA WITH MR. MAGEE, A CAMPING SPREE WITH MR. MAGEE, and IF I BUILT A CAR. He says, "When I first read Mercy Watson to the Rescue, the characters were very vivid in my mind, and they just came to life when I started painting. This is exactly the type of story I love to illustrate – a wonderfully silly adventure with lots of action." This is his first book with Candlewick Press.
View titles by Chris Van Dusen
