| Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes (series #6) |
|
|
|
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.
• This book has been nomintated for a 2009 Cybil Award. Please click the Cybils link on the left side of the page to
learn more about the Children's and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards (Cybils). |
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:
In this, the newest installment in the Mercy Watson series, Mercy takes Mr. and Mrs. Watson on another madcap ride. This time they decide to go to the drive-in movie theater. They pick up the usual zany crew of characters from previous Mercy Watson books, including: the Lincoln sisters, Frank and Stella, Officer Tomilello, Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet, reformed thief Leroy Ninker, Firemen Ned and Lorenzo and introducing two new characters Alfred P. Tomkins (Francine Poulet's date) and ticket taker Beatrice Leapaleoni. If nothing else (and there is so much more) you and your young reader will have fun with all the whacky names and personalities DiCamillo has given her characters
This time what gets the crazy adventure going is the Watson's thrillingly decide to take their "porcine wonder" to see the aptly titled film, When Pigs Fly!, at the Drive-In. Mercy didn't pay much attention to the afternoon plans, until she heard the Bijou Drive-In served popcorn with real butter! Mercy would take "butter any way she could get it"! As seasoned Mercy readers will have predicted, that smell of butter is all it takes when they arrive to get the chase started. Mercy takes one whiff and out of the car she goes. While she is innocently trotting about looking for the source of the heavenly butter smell, the Watson's fear they have lost their porcine wonder and moviegoers are shocked to see what looks like a pig scampering around. Let the Mercy games begin!
One of my favorite things about this book and all the other books in this series, is the genuine kindness, generosity and naiveness of the Watsons. They are so inclusive and always see the good in others, even when the others are not so deserving. It not only makes for great entertainment, but also a fine example for all the lucky little readers of Mercy Watson. |
Author: Kate Dicamillo Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen Published: 2009, 96 pages
Themes: Animals, Humor, Excellent Read-Aloud, Exquisite Illustrations, Extraordinary Language, Adventure |
|
Capture the Flag
