| Mercy Watson: Thinks Like a Pig (series #5) |
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What You Need to Know:
• This is a hilarious series that highlights DiCamillos zany, dry humor.
• It is also a fine example of a wonderfully symbiotic relationship between author and illustrator. Chris Van Dusen's
terrific and appealing illustrations only add hilarity to an already uproarious text.
• The book itself is a hybrid between picture book and early chapter book, making for both a great read-aloud
experience and a perfect book for the new reader to attempt on their own.
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Sweet Series Background:
Kate DiCamillo does it again with this winning Learning to Read, SR, series. The critically-acclaimed author of both The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Tale of Despereaux, has created a wonderful series for the younger reader. DiCamillo's writing talent, combined here with Chris Van Dusen's terrific illustrations, makes the Mercy Watson series not to be missed!
DiCamillo's characters include the Watsons, the loving, albeit misguided owners of Mercy, their pet pig. They adore Mercy, and lavish great attention and care on her as if she were human, she even has her own room. Other characters that make appearances in all the books include the neighbors, the Lincoln Sisters and the clumsy Firemen and Policemen. Each character plays a different role in each story's plot, but are all consistently bumbling and hilarious. |
Sweet Book Summary:
Mercy is at it again with her neighbors, the Lincoln sisters, in Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. Eugenia is the cranky sister and Baby is the more docile, happy sister (think Betty White in the Mary Tyler Moore show). Eugenia declares, even though they have to live next door to a pig, of whom she disapproves greatly, there is no reason not to live graciously. And she has decided living graciously includes having a yard full of pansies. Eugenia and Baby set about planting the whole yard full of pansies. But where Eugenia sees a beautiful garden, Mercy see lunch; let the games begin!
In all of the previous Mercy Watson books, Eugenia has complained loud and clear that a pig belongs in a barn, not in a house, a car, a bed, or any of the places the Watsons take their darling pig, Mercy, "their porcine wonder". Eugenia has made her disapproval clear by calling all manner of authorities to get rid of the pig. But not until this installment does she call Animal Control. And lucky for us, as DiCamillo introduces a hilarious new character in the form of Francine Poulet, the Animal Control Officer. |
Author: Kate Dicamillo Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen Published: 2008, 73 pages
Themes: Animals, Humor, Excellent Read-Aloud, Exquisite Illustrations, Extraordinary Language, Adventure |
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