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Mercy Watson #5
Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
Can Mercy Watson outwit . . . Animal Control? The porcine wonder’s on the lam in her latest tongue-in-snout adventure!
Features an audio read-along! Mercy's appetite has got her into trouble again. When Eugenia Lincoln's pansies go missing, Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet arrives on the scene. But as she soon discovers, not just anyone can think like a pig. Especially when that pig is porcine wonder Mercy Watson!
Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2008
49 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
163 books11k followersKate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
April 30, 2018
Mercy Watson likes to eat pansy's. Mercy's neighbor is planting trays of pansy's around the house and Mercy goes and eats them. Eugenia is livid and I would be too. She calls animal control. They all end up around Mrs. Watson's table for buttered toast. There is no talk of compensation. I have to stand on the side of flowers and destruction of property.
Still, this is some madcap goodness right here. I have enjoyed this series and it is a fun read for beginning readers. This might be my least favorite of the 6 Mercy Watson stories, but it was enjoyable. Kate is a wonder of an author.
Still, this is some madcap goodness right here. I have enjoyed this series and it is a fun read for beginning readers. This might be my least favorite of the 6 Mercy Watson stories, but it was enjoyable. Kate is a wonder of an author.
June 15, 2024
They are killing me with the toast! 😂 And Eugenia knows she’s wrong for calling animal control on Mercy.
July 24, 2019
That buttered-toast-obsessed pig Mercy Watson returns in this fifth installment of Kate DiCamillo's chapter-book series dedicated to her adventures on Deckawoo Drive. Happily oblivious to the fact that she has once again displeased her next door neighbor, the fussy Eugenia Lincoln, by eating that lady's new pansies, Mercy heads to a tea-party with local children Stella and Frank. Eugenia, in the meantime, calls Officer Francine Poulet of Animal Control. Fortunately for all those involved, Officer Poulet's actions lead to the Watsons' belief that she has saved Mercy, and all ends happily with a large party...
As with the earlier volumes in this series, Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig was an entertaining tale, featuring a series of humorous hi-jinks that are captured through both word and art. The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen, done in vibrant gouache paint, greatly add to the sense of frenetic mad-cap fun. I particularly liked the picture of a disgruntled Mercy, deeply displeased to discover that the food at the tea party to which she has been invited is imaginary! The story itself is also hilarious - the Watsons are always so good-heartedly oblivious, and matters always end so well, despite Mercy's accidental misadventures - and makes for an engaging read. Recommended to young readers who are just getting going with chapter-books, and who appreciate tales with a silly and/or humorous sensibility.
As with the earlier volumes in this series, Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig was an entertaining tale, featuring a series of humorous hi-jinks that are captured through both word and art. The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen, done in vibrant gouache paint, greatly add to the sense of frenetic mad-cap fun. I particularly liked the picture of a disgruntled Mercy, deeply displeased to discover that the food at the tea party to which she has been invited is imaginary! The story itself is also hilarious - the Watsons are always so good-heartedly oblivious, and matters always end so well, despite Mercy's accidental misadventures - and makes for an engaging read. Recommended to young readers who are just getting going with chapter-books, and who appreciate tales with a silly and/or humorous sensibility.
January 8, 2019
I read this book out of order, since I'm on a wait list for Book 4 at the library. I figured it would be fine to skip one, since each book seems to stand well enough on its own. That was the case here, although I suspect that the neighbour kids, Stella and Frank, were introduced in the book I skipped. No matter. This was still a fun story about the lovable porcine wonder.
One day, while the Watsons are enjoying lemonade in their backyard, the Lincoln sisters are busy planting pansies. Mercy smells them and goes in search of the wonderful scent. Of course, she then eats all the flowers, which is the last straw for Eugenia Lincoln, who calls Animal Control. Francine Poulet sets out to capture a pig, though she's never had to deal with a pig before. So she decides to think like one. (I'm not sure how leaping over hedges and climbing trees is thinking like a pig, but that's part of what makes it so amusing.) She eventually finds Mercy at a disappointing tea party (all the food is imaginary!) and of course the story ends happily with everybody enjoying some hot buttered toast.
As usual, the illustrations are great, and the word choices are stimulating. At one point, the Watsons are running around worrying about "an Unmentionable Horror", thanks to Baby Lincoln's vague warning. (I love how they didn't even stop to clarify what she was talking about, but just ran off in a panic.)
These books are so much fun. While it would've been nice to read them all in order, it's not strictly necessary. Each story stands well on its own.
Quotable moment:
One day, while the Watsons are enjoying lemonade in their backyard, the Lincoln sisters are busy planting pansies. Mercy smells them and goes in search of the wonderful scent. Of course, she then eats all the flowers, which is the last straw for Eugenia Lincoln, who calls Animal Control. Francine Poulet sets out to capture a pig, though she's never had to deal with a pig before. So she decides to think like one. (I'm not sure how leaping over hedges and climbing trees is thinking like a pig, but that's part of what makes it so amusing.) She eventually finds Mercy at a disappointing tea party (all the food is imaginary!) and of course the story ends happily with everybody enjoying some hot buttered toast.
As usual, the illustrations are great, and the word choices are stimulating. At one point, the Watsons are running around worrying about "an Unmentionable Horror", thanks to Baby Lincoln's vague warning. (I love how they didn't even stop to clarify what she was talking about, but just ran off in a panic.)
These books are so much fun. While it would've been nice to read them all in order, it's not strictly necessary. Each story stands well on its own.
Quotable moment:
"BABY!" screamed Eugenia.
"Yes, Sister?" said Baby.
"Where have all the flowers gone?" shouted Eugenia.
"Oh, dear," said Baby. "They were here just a minute ago."
Mercy came around the corner.
There was a spring in her step.
There were pansy petals on her chin.
November 15, 2024
Mercy Watson’s adventures always make me laugh.
December 22, 2018
Francine Poulet enters again! I kind of missed her when I realized these books take place in the same location/world/town/street. She doesn't disappoint. I'm beginning not to like how the Watsons never make amends for any trouble Mercy causes, they just feed people buttered toast and think that that's that.
January 5, 2022
Another hysterical, delightful read-aloud. While books two through four were four-star reads, this book returns to the five-star level of the first book. First-rate situation comedy that my whole family (perhaps minus the baby) enjoys.
August 14, 2022
Cleanliness: the word “stupid” is used.
January 29, 2021
I love all of the Mercy Watson books! I had yet to read this so was happy that I had another title in the series to look forward to. Wonderful!
May 19, 2021
My first book in French. I still had to look up a lot of things (Duolingo really does not teach you animal noises, haha) but I am proud of myself.
The story was very cute; I love Kate DiCamillo.
The story was very cute; I love Kate DiCamillo.
June 7, 2017
I love Kate DiCamillo and what she has done in this series around a pig, Mercy Watson. In reading the books in this series, it takes me back to my love of early reading and books like Amelia Bedelia and Nate the Great. They are more than just sitting down with a picture book, but are still colorful, humorous and fun, as you spend more time with a book. I read aloud a Leroy Ninker book earlier in the year, and my class soaked up the books from Kate DiCamillo connected to Deckawoo Drive.
I feel it's important in many ways - anytime they find something they love sitting down with to read you always win, but they also began connecting the name to something they really enjoyed, so as they move on and have experiences with her other amazing works, they're going to be ready for the experience and the challenge. She has a great thing going for young readers - and adults who love great stories!
I feel it's important in many ways - anytime they find something they love sitting down with to read you always win, but they also began connecting the name to something they really enjoyed, so as they move on and have experiences with her other amazing works, they're going to be ready for the experience and the challenge. She has a great thing going for young readers - and adults who love great stories!
March 17, 2018
My kids love the Mercy Watson books. I don't hate them, which is what matters.
April 28, 2012
I really like these Mercy Watson books, and this one is no exception. The characters are just so fun and so well developed! They each have personalities and presence, and I love doing voices for these characters. The fullness with which they are written really inspires a reader to have fun with bringing them to life.
The kids really enjoyed this story, the humor, and the bright, fun illustrations. Excellent read-aloud book, sure to keep kids happy.
The kids really enjoyed this story, the humor, and the bright, fun illustrations. Excellent read-aloud book, sure to keep kids happy.
November 26, 2008
I absolutely adore Mercy Watson, she is such a lovable, quirky pig. The things that she gets into are always a riot and this book is no exception. Though I didn't like this book as much as the others in the series, I still thought that the illustrations were hilarious and the book was very cute. I'd definitely recommend this book.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
May 14, 2018
Who knew I would feel so conflicted about a Mercy Watson book?
On one hand, the illustrations are exceptional, both the story and language are exciting and engaging, and the characters just as hilarious as they were in the last four books.
On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Watson listen to Baby Lincoln tell them that Mercy ate all of Eugenia Lincoln's pansies and then they reward her with toast for her behavior.
Sadly, it looks like this will be a Mercy Watson book I do not recommend.
On one hand, the illustrations are exceptional, both the story and language are exciting and engaging, and the characters just as hilarious as they were in the last four books.
On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Watson listen to Baby Lincoln tell them that Mercy ate all of Eugenia Lincoln's pansies and then they reward her with toast for her behavior.
Sadly, it looks like this will be a Mercy Watson book I do not recommend.
July 10, 2009
This is the adorable tale of Mercy the pig who the events that follow her pansy eating from the neighbors garden. While the books is broken into chapters it still can be easily read in one sittng. The hilarious story and funny illustrations make it fun to read and fun to listen to.
February 28, 2014
The Mercy Watson books are so much fun for early readers!
November 29, 2014
Emma and I only have one Mercy Watson book left! We will be sad to leave our friends on Deckawoo Drive.
September 17, 2016
So sweet!
March 24, 2024
I love these books. We've read them in super goofy order, but all of them are so good. In this book, Eugenia gets annoyed with Mercy because she ate all her new flowers. She calls Francine Poulet from Animal Control to come get Mercy and Mercy is nowhere to be found so they have to think like a pig to find her. She is at a tea party that she doesn't enjoy. It turns into a silly scene and everyone has toast. Cute!
January 19, 2025
Mayhem once again abounds on Deckawoo Drive when Eugenia Lincoln decides to plant some flowers and they smell too good for a pig to resist. Mercy is up to her antics once again and the resulting book is filled with all the hilarity we’ve come to expect. My 5 year old and I had a lot of fun with this one.
July 12, 2024
An angry neighbor takes action after Mercy Watson raids her newly planted flower garden and eats all the colorful pansies. This time, the Animal Control Officer is contacted to take action against the out-of-control pig. Will Mercy finally be taken away from her loving owners?
March 6, 2021
It was funny because Eugenia was chasing Mercy
November 28, 2021
Cute story and fun illustrations. Not much point to the story, but my two little girls loved it. Sophie even read it by herself!
July 28, 2023
Cute little book that introduces kids to chapter books with a silly little pig named Mercy. Can read out of order as this is book 5 and the first my daughter and I read together.
January 31, 2025
Read Aloud with Holly and Ember.
March 14, 2014
Booklist (June 1, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 19))
Preschool-Grade 2. The fifth in the series featuring troublesome Mercy finds the pig relaxing out back while elderly sisters Eugenia and Baby Lincoln are busy planting petunias. Unfortunately, Mercy is lured by the delectable flowers, munching them almost as fast as the sisters plant. Eugenia is so angry she calls animal control, and soon Officer Francine Poulet is on the way. This tale takes the focus off Mercy a bit, giving children the opportunity to connect with some of the other characters, including the intrepid Poulet. As usual, Van Dusen’s shiny, stylized artwork captures all the fun of Mercy’s capers.
Horn Book (Spring 2009)
Mischievous pet pig Mercy eats grumpy neighbor Eugenia Lincoln's pansies. Furious, Eugenia calls in animal-control officer Francine Poulet to find and capture the pig. A spirited search ensues, as Poulet tries to "think like a pig." As usual, the cheerful gouache illustrations portray Mercy's comical adventures, as well as the Watsons, the neighbors, and Poulet, with great humor.
Kirkus Reviews (June 1, 2008)
Mercy Watson, beloved porcine wonder, meets Francine Poulet, "the best animal control officer in the history of the world." When Mercy discovers freshly planted pansies next door, what can she do but eat them? Never mind that the pansies belong to the next-door neighbors, pig-loving Baby and her pig-hating sister, Eugenia. When the furious Eugenia sees the incriminating pansy petals on Mercy's chin, her anger gets the best of her and she reports Mercy to Animal Control. The officer, beak-nosed Poulet, is energized by the challenge of adding a new animal to her life capture list. DiCamillo's comic timing coupled with Van Dusen's familiar, over-the-top gouache depictions of the emotional Mercy and her caring, buttered-toast-bearing "parents" make this a welcome addition to the popular series. Fifteen very short action-packed chapters make this a fine step up for readers ready for a slightly more challenging read than Henry and Mudge. (Fiction. 7-10)
School Library Journal (August 1, 2008)
Gr 2-4-In this installment, the porcine protagonist outrages the Lincoln sisters when she sneaks through their hedge and eats their newly planted pansies. Eugenia Lincoln calls animal control, and Officer Francine Poulet shows up determined to "think like a pig" and catch the culprit. Chaos ensues, and the porker escapes to enjoy another day of buttered toast. Fans of the series will welcome this addition to Mercy's adventures and be amused by the hyperbolic quality of Van Dusen's color illustrations.-Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Mercer Island Library, WA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information
Preschool-Grade 2. The fifth in the series featuring troublesome Mercy finds the pig relaxing out back while elderly sisters Eugenia and Baby Lincoln are busy planting petunias. Unfortunately, Mercy is lured by the delectable flowers, munching them almost as fast as the sisters plant. Eugenia is so angry she calls animal control, and soon Officer Francine Poulet is on the way. This tale takes the focus off Mercy a bit, giving children the opportunity to connect with some of the other characters, including the intrepid Poulet. As usual, Van Dusen’s shiny, stylized artwork captures all the fun of Mercy’s capers.
Horn Book (Spring 2009)
Mischievous pet pig Mercy eats grumpy neighbor Eugenia Lincoln's pansies. Furious, Eugenia calls in animal-control officer Francine Poulet to find and capture the pig. A spirited search ensues, as Poulet tries to "think like a pig." As usual, the cheerful gouache illustrations portray Mercy's comical adventures, as well as the Watsons, the neighbors, and Poulet, with great humor.
Kirkus Reviews (June 1, 2008)
Mercy Watson, beloved porcine wonder, meets Francine Poulet, "the best animal control officer in the history of the world." When Mercy discovers freshly planted pansies next door, what can she do but eat them? Never mind that the pansies belong to the next-door neighbors, pig-loving Baby and her pig-hating sister, Eugenia. When the furious Eugenia sees the incriminating pansy petals on Mercy's chin, her anger gets the best of her and she reports Mercy to Animal Control. The officer, beak-nosed Poulet, is energized by the challenge of adding a new animal to her life capture list. DiCamillo's comic timing coupled with Van Dusen's familiar, over-the-top gouache depictions of the emotional Mercy and her caring, buttered-toast-bearing "parents" make this a welcome addition to the popular series. Fifteen very short action-packed chapters make this a fine step up for readers ready for a slightly more challenging read than Henry and Mudge. (Fiction. 7-10)
School Library Journal (August 1, 2008)
Gr 2-4-In this installment, the porcine protagonist outrages the Lincoln sisters when she sneaks through their hedge and eats their newly planted pansies. Eugenia Lincoln calls animal control, and Officer Francine Poulet shows up determined to "think like a pig" and catch the culprit. Chaos ensues, and the porker escapes to enjoy another day of buttered toast. Fans of the series will welcome this addition to Mercy's adventures and be amused by the hyperbolic quality of Van Dusen's color illustrations.-Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Mercer Island Library, WA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2018
Eugenia Lincoln calls animal control on Mercy after she eats her freshly planted flowers. Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet must take action on this complaint. Meanwhile Stella invites Mercy to a tea party, but Mercy must wear a hat. Mercy discovers there are not treats at this tea party and is not happy, and neither is Stella's brother Frank. Officer Poulet thinks like a pig, and locates Mercy, and in the end everyone is invited by the Watson's to have some toast with a great deal of butter on it.
March 31, 2018
to be honest, these are not my favorite stories ever, but they have completely captivated my boys, and the silly voices we use for Mr. Watson and Eugenia Lincoln paired with herbal tea and of course, hot toast with a great deal of butter ;) have already kindled a new love for reading together, out loud. a family favorite, if not mom's ;)
March 27, 2018
Alice: 5 stars
Jenny: very enjoyable series.
Jenny: very enjoyable series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews