A Wall Street Journal 20 Best Children's Books of the Past 20 Years Selection
"Halloween was made for carefree Mercy Watson." -- School Library Journal
When the Watsons decide to zip their porcine wonder into a formfitting princess dress for Halloween -- complete with tiara -- they are certain that Mercy will be beautiful beyond compare. Mercy is equally certain she likes the sound of trick-or- treating and can picture piles of buttered toast already. As for the Lincoln Sisters next door, how could they know that their cat would lead them all on a Halloween "parade" of hysterical proportions? Kate DiCamillo's beguiling pig is back in a tale full of treats, tricky turns, hijinks, and high humor.
As always, the Watsons' enthusiasm for their porcine marvel is both hysterical and heartwarming. There is something reassuring about the way they regard Mercy: She is beautiful. She is wonderful. She is adored. Which actually sums up the way I feel about Kate DiCamillo's series.
--Kidsreads.com
Kate DiCamillo's porcine heroine returns...once again all's well that ends with buttered toast.
--Publishers Weekly
The humorous tone and simple sentences will appeal to young readers, as will Chris Van Dusen's energetic gouache paintings.
--Washington Parent
How can you go wrong with a pig in a pink tutu and tiara?
--San Francisco Chronicle
There's a lot of silly fun in store for readers.
--Journal Inquirer
Learning-to-read kids will appreciate Chris Van Dusen's dynamic illustrations that are interspersed throughout the text.
--Associated Press
The brilliantly colored illustrations by Chris Van Dusen pack a comical punch.
--Scripps-Howard
The hilarious colored paintings, packed with action and emotion, add momentum to the pandemonium in this perfect beginning chapter book for second-graders.
--Chicago Sun-Times
An irresistible reading romp with lightning-fast action and sparkling slapstick illustrations.
--Curriculum Connection
Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for young readers, including the Orris and Timble, Mercy Watson, and Tales from Mercy Watson's Deckawoo Drive series. Her books Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux both received Newbery Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, she lives in Minneapolis.
Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including The Circus Ship and Big Truck, Little Island, and the illustrator of the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. He lives in Maine.
Target Age: 5-8
Candlewick Press (MA)
Pub Date: June 04, 2010
0.3" H x 8.2" L x 6.3" W
80 pages
paperback