Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Fanciful Fiction
Theme: Family, Relationships
Grade Level: K-2
Curricular Connections: I once met Kate DiCamillo, and she said her intention with the Mercy Watson books was to write a book with absolutely no lesson to be learned. Curricular connections would be too forced.

Mr. and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy. Mercy likes toast with a great deal of butter. The Watson’s neighbor, Eugenia Lincoln, believes pigs belong on farms and not in automobiles. Eugenia does not like Mercy. Her sister, Baby, usually agrees with her because that is easiest. One day, however, Baby sneaks into the backseat of Mr. Watson’s pink Cadillac when he and Mercy go for a ride. Mercy wants to drive. There is a police chase, a near tragic accident involving a flying pig, and an ending involving lots of toast with a great deal of butter.

Classroom Suggestions:

1. Mercy Watson books should be used to promote the fun of reading. Beginning readers will laugh and laugh and quickly seek out the other books in the series.

2. Read aloud.