MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE
by Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0763623326
Ages 6-10
80 pages

Mercy Watson is a bit stubborn, a bit spoiled, and a lot of cute. Her "parents," Mr. and Mrs. Watson, think Mercy is a "porcine" wonder (porcine: of, relating to, or suggesting swine). They adore Mercy, and every Saturday after a special lunch that includes her favorite food --- stacks and stacks of butter-oozing toast --- Mr. Watson takes Mercy for a ride in his car.

After Saturday lunch, Mr. Watson likes to drive off the calories in his gorgeous pink Cadillac, and Mercy gets to ride along even though she would rather drive herself. Every Saturday, Mercy enthusiastically hops into the driver's seat and refuses to move --- she wants to drive! Porcine wonder or not, Mr. Watson doesn't think Mercy should drive his car, but she resists all attempts to move her over to the passenger seat. With the help of Mrs. Watson and the promise of more toast when she gets home, Mercy gives in and they back out of the driveway. Mercy will do anything for her favorite food. At least she's going on an adventure, even if she doesn't get to drive. And there will be hot buttered toast waiting when she gets home! Life is GREAT!!

Things happen pretty much the same Saturday after Saturday until one sunny weekend Mercy's regular adventure turns into a big, rollicking affair involving a police car, next-door neighbor Baby Lincoln, and an unexpected tumble when someone isn't wearing a seat belt. Damage is minor, but Mercy gets the chance of a porcine wonder's lifetime when Mr. Watson is distracted while driving. Even a porcine wonder should have some driving lessons first!

MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE is book two in Kate DiCamillo's series for young readers. Illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are bright, engaging, and reminiscent of patterns and toys from the 1950s. Children's eyes will delight in the colors and distinct images on almost every page, and Van Dusen's eye for detail will give repeat readers something new to see with every pass through the book.

   --- Reviewed by Joy Held

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.