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A Piglet Named Mercy

Part of Mercy Watson

Author Kate DiCamillo

Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Hardcover

$18.99 US

Candlewick

10"W x 11"H x 0.4"D | 18 oz | 22 per carton

On sale Apr 02, 2019 | 32 Pages | 9780763677534

Age 3-7 years

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell L

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The instant New York Times bestseller!

Every porcine wonder was once a piglet! Celebrate the joy of a new arrival with this endearing picture-book prequel to the New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson series.

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive — and the Watsons’ lives will never be the same.

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

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The popular early-reader series about Mercy the pig gets an origin story in this delightful picture book...As in the previous books, the gouache illustrations are polished to a sheen, and happily here have more room to shine. The book's vintage look suits the story well and is sure to entice readers. Old friends and new fans will appreciate this; bring on the toast.
—Booklist

To paraphrase an immortal spider, Mercy is some pig...Younger siblings of the Mercy chapter-book lovers will find their way into the series with this first look, written just for them.
—Kirkus Reviews

As ever, Van Dusen’s bright colors and bold characterization joyfully accompany DiCamillo’s story, this time of new and evolving familial love. Established fans will find plenty to appreciate here, while newcomers will be charmed, making this a natural stepping stone to the original series.
—Publishers Weekly

Van Dusen’s exemplary gouache illustrations perfectly capture the personalities of each character, especially the rambunctious and adorable Mercy. Although not a beginning reader like the rest of the series, this Mercy Watson picture book will appeal to her many fans and will serve as a great introduction for younger children.
—School Library Journal

Van Dusen's gouache illustrations hit astronomical heights on the adorability meter, and readers will squee-al in delight as rosy-hued baby Mercy bounces through the world on the tips of her tiny trotters. Whether smiling out of her swaddling blanket or flying upside-down and startled from the back of a swine truck, this little piggy is sure to win as many friends among the pre-literate crowd as she has among early readers. Here's hoping mini-Mercy returns for more adventures.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers

Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, who also did the pictures for Ms. DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson early-reader series, this charmer relates how it was that a pig came to live in the immaculate precincts of Deckawoo Drive with the adoring and indulgent Mr. and Mrs. Watson…The bubble-gum colors and shiny surfaces of Mr. Van Dusen’s pictures (see below) make Mercy’s whole world look as though it’s made of fondant—fair enough, because it’s a very sweet place.
—The Wall Street Journal

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