Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

'Porcine wonder' Mercy Watson, whose story began in Mercy Watson to the Rescue, returns in this second chapter-book adventure. Although Mercy enjoys her weekly convertible trips with Mr. Watson, she longs to be the one driving, and when Mr. Watson is distracted by their unexpected stowaway (Baby Lincoln from next door), she sees her chance. Unfortunately for Mercy, her attempt to drive comes just as the convertible is being tailed by Officer Tomilello...

Like its predecessor, Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride is an amusing tale sure to please children who are just getting started with chapter-books. Mercy is a headstrong heroine, one with whom many willful young children will identify, and her (mis)adventures make for entertaining reading. show more This is a gentle world, in which the biggest 'adversary,' in the form of the disapproving Eugenia Lincoln, is usually conquered with plenty of buttered toast. The accompanying artwork, done in gouache by Chris Van Dusen, is vibrantly colorful and adds to the sense of madcap fun. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first Mercy Watson book, and to young readers who enjoy somewhat silly stories with a great sense of humor. show less

I love these books for early to middle elementary school. It has a fun font along with not overwhelmingly long chapters with some illustrations along the way as well. Mercy is a pig a part of a family who gets to go with her dad on a ride in their new car. She experiences so many new things and has so much fun throughout the story.

I really loved this book for 3 reasons, First, I love the illustrations. Chris Van Dusen does a great job keeping the illustrations bright, colorful, and relevant to the text. For example, when Mercy is driving Mr. Watson's car, the illustrations perfectly portray how someone might feel if a pig took the wheel of their car! Mr. Watson is terrified and Mercy is having the time of her life. Secondly, I loved Mercy's character. Although she is a pig, she is a well developed character that has her own unique likes and dislikes. She is funny and cute and keeps readers wanting more. Her actions are unique for that of a pig, but they are fun and almost human-like. Finally, I really enjoyed the recurring theme of toast. Mercy's love of toast is show more brought up multiple times throughout the book. It keeps the reader reminded that Mercy is thought of as more of a human child to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, which is funny. If you asked Mercy Watson, she would say that the big idea of this story is that life is full of surprises - like a pig driving a car - but in the end, everything works out. show less

I loved this second installment of Mercy Watson just as much as the first! The pictures were especially on point in this book. For example, there is an important scene involving Mercy's interaction with Mr. Watson's car. Instead of writing out the scene with words, the author chose to add a picture sequence (using the style of a graphic novel). Although this scene had no words, the pictures conveyed just as much information. It was really neat to take a break from reading and use pictures to enhance my reading experience.

Also, I felt that the beautiful language had a nice effect. For example, the author writes, "The car screeched. The car shuddered. The car careened. The car caromed. And finally the car stopped." This vivid imagery was show more paired with equally vivid pictures! Even though student readers may not know the words "careened" or "caromed," the style of this passage gave clarity to these terms.

Ultimately, the big picture of this book was that one should experience life without regrets. This big picture was expressed most clearly through the description of Mr. Watson. The author writes, "He backs the car out of the driveway very quickly. He does not look behind him. Mr. Watson is a forward-looking man. He does not believe in looking back." show less

I love Mercy Watson! I'm an unabashed fan. In this lovely title, Mercy and Mr. and Mrs. Watson have their special Saturday lunch, and then afterwards, Mr. Watson and Mercy go for a ride in his (awesome) pink convertible. Mercy wants to drive, so she hops in the driver's seat; Mr. Watson needs Mrs. Watson to come out and bribe Mercy with the promise of more hot buttered toast in order to get her to move. The image of Mercy looking all sly and conniving while sitting in the driver's seat is absolutely beautiful and hysterical. Eventually during their drive, Mercy DOES get to drive, to a great and calamitous ending for the story involving a pig flying. Once again, everyone ends up satisfactorily happy, munching on hot buttered toast.

It turns out there is something Mercy Watson likes almost as much as hot buttered toast: car rides! But Mercy would really prefer to be the driver...and she seizes her chance when Baby Lincoln surprises Mr. Watson by stowing away in the back seat ("indulging in some folly"). Officer Tomilello, who has a habit of asking and answering his own questions, goes in pursuit.

pretty cute! I mean, a pig who loves buttered toast - what's not to like? Mercy is a favorite of my seven year old daughter's, so I guess she's becoming one of mine too! :-)