Mr. and Mrs. Watson are very human people, who just happen to have a pig that they treat as a daughter. One night, afraid of the dark, Mercy clambers into bed with them. Everyone is fine with this arrangement until a terrible noise indicates that the bed is about the fall through the ceiling. The Watsons are terrified, but Mercy has just awoken from a lovely dream about toast and hops off the bed in search of food. While her family is certain that she is going for help, Mercy is most definitely going for a snack. Luckily, since pigs don’t talk, a series of misunderstandings leads to both the rescue of the Watsons and a stack of delicious buttered toast for Mercy.
The Mercy Watson series is one of the easiest chapter book series available. It is filled with full-color illustrations, large print font and is blessedly short ( a particular relief to parents who must read aloud). It is also fun, humorous and has enough to interest kids without boring or annoying their parents. Kate DiCamillo is well known for her books for middle grades readers, but this offering for younger children should not be missed. Definitely ideal for any children who are ready to read chapter books, especially first or second graders.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – None.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.
