Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

Children's Literature: Mr. and Mrs. Watson have a pig and her name is Mercy. This cheerful chapter book for developing readers is the fifth in a series of books about Mercy, the domesticated pig, who finds herself in trouble frequently. In this humorous story, the Watson's neighbors become hysterical when they discover that Mercy has eaten their newly planted pansy plants. Animal control officer Francine Poulet is called in and she quickly realizes that to solve this problem she must think like a pig. Young readers will enjoy this funny, lighthearted story because they will be attracted to the bright, engaging illustrations that are brimming with detail and personality as well as the straightforward, simple text and the chapter book format. Adult reading partners will chuckle as they read lines such as "unmentionable horror" and "career expanding opportunity," and they will appreciate the whimsical illustrations that are vaguely reminiscent of scenes from the 1950s. This endearing story about an irascible but irresistible pig will charm young readers. They will undoubtedly clamor to read the entire series of books by this well-known author. Reviewer: Susan Borges