“A Piglet Named Mercy,” by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2019, 32 pages, K-2.
Sometimes children just want to have fun when they read. They are not trying to “become,” but often are simply trying to enjoy their day. This is not always easy for some adults to accept as we are frequently trying to improve children.
A better question for adults to ask themselves is: “Do you always read edifying novels to become more mature, or pleasant novels that help you relax?” While these two ideas are not in contradiction, pleasure often wins out for both children and adults. Famous children’s author, Kate DiCamillo, has given readers one of these charming stories in the delightful picture book, “A Piglet Named Mercy.”
The Watsons are an ordinary family living in a well-kept house in an American city. Mrs. Watson takes care of the home and has everything spic and span. Mr. Watson mows the grass, trims the hedge and washes his Cadillac. But Mrs. Watson wonders if they are doing the same things in a too predictable pattern. Mr. Watson can’t understand why she is even asking the question.
When they go to bed that night, a strange event happens. A truck carrying a load of pigs hits a bump outside their home and a piglet bounces out the back of the truck. Not knowing what to do, the piglet walks up to the Watsons’ front porch and waits for daybreak. When Mr. Watson opens the porch door to pick up the morning newspaper, he is startled: staring up at him is a piglet with her head on top of the newspaper. He calls his wife to see this event. Thoroughly charmed, Mrs. Watson picks up the piglet and takes her inside the house.
Meanwhile, two elderly sisters next door come to explore the situation. One sister, Eugenia Lincoln demands that the Watsons get rid of the piglet. Her younger sister, Baby Lincoln instantly loves the little piglet and immediately heats up a baby bottle of milk. As the argument about the piglet continues, Mrs. Watson picks up the piglet and feeds it with the warm milk. Falling in love with the piglet, she feeds and cuddles her in a baby blanket. Mr. Watson also begins to take an interest in the little pig and the Watsons decide to name the little pig.
Eugenia keeps demanding that the piglet goes, but Mr. Watson’s heart become tender. What should the Watsons do with the piglet?
Do the Watsons keep the piglet? What do they name the little pig? Why are the illustrations in this book so endearing? Have you ever seen a baby drink from a bottle? Why is it so comforting? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this delightful story, “A Piglet Named Mercy.”
Kate DiCamillo usually writes evocative novels for children and adolescents and has won a number of literary awards. This picture book is just fun to read. The pictures are humorous and entertaining and adds another title to DiCamillo’s Mercy book series. This book makes a great read aloud for a class of children or for an individual child. If you are looking for enjoyable reading experience, this is the book for you. I like it and think you will as well.
