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New Kate DiCamillo Picture Book Brings Back a Favorite Porcine Wonder

April 10, 2019


Pig protagonist Mercy Watson is back! Her newest story, A Piglet Named Mercy, is a picture book prequel to the bestselling eponymous chapter book series. If any kids ever wondered how this little piglet came to be living with the Watsons on Deckawoo Drive, this book has the answer!

If you haven’t met Mercy Watson, here’s the scoop: she’s a lovable pig who stirs up quite a bit of trouble and chaos in the Watsons’ rather humdrum neighborhood, Deckawoo Drive. Mercy is also a pig with pretty much one thing on her mind: toast with a LOT of butter. Sometimes she gets into mischief, but Mr. and Mrs. Watson (her owners – ahem – parents) can see her only as their darling “porcine wonder” (heaven forbid if they ever called her just a pig).

Mercy Watson’s charming personality and hilarious hi-jinks have captivated early chapter-book readers and parents everywhere, and there’s still plenty to love about A Piglet Named Mercy for fans of the series. 

Kids who grew up reading Mercy will eagerly want to revisit their favorite character, see her as an adorable baby piglet, and find out how she first discovered an insatiable love for hot buttered toast. Familiar readers are also sure to squeal with delight when they spot memorable secondary characters making much ado about Mercy’s arrival (the Lincoln sisters, anyone?). Or ask your older children who have already read through the original series to read A Piglet Named Mercy aloud to their younger siblings so they can share and enjoy the story together.

In addition to established fans, A Piglet Named Mercy is a natural stepping stone for introducing younger readers to a soon-to-be beloved character. The large picture book-sized pages give the expressive, vintage-style illustrations a place to shine and are sure to engage your child in the story and garner plenty of laughs, all while helping to foster an early love of reading.

Mercy’s story and adventures appeal to both boys and girls, so there’ll be no trouble holding anyone’s attention. Even parents will get a laugh out of the mundane life of the Watsons being thrown into chaos by a fun-loving (and toast-loving) pig. Plus, young readers will be able to follow Mercy’s porcine adventures as their reading skills grow.

Get ready for your kids asking for hot buttered toast a lot more often.

A Piglet Named Mercy is available wherever books are sold. Visit the official Mercy Watson website for games, downloadable activities, and to join the official Hot Buttered Toast fan club.