Welcome to Deckawoo Drive, home of Mr. and Mrs. Watson and their dear, their darling … Mercy the pig! The Mercy Watson series will take you on one “oink-citing” adventure after another as you follow the wild and wonky escapades of one very special pig.

Who Is Mercy Watson?

Mercy Watson is not just a pig—she’s a porcine wonder! Her owners, Mr. and Mrs. Watson, dote on her and think she can do no wrong. But their next-door neighbor, Eugenia Lincoln, thinks there’s more to Mercy than meets the eye, especially considering how most of Mercy’s exploits end with the fire department stepping in to set things right.

Whether she’s chasing down the scent of butter at a drive-in movie theater, dressing up like a princess for Halloween, or outwitting determined Animal Control officers, there’s always something afoot when Mercy’s around—or should we say, a-hoof?

Take our free Mercy Watson checklist to your local library!

About the Author and Series

Kate DiCamillo is well known for writing books and series beloved by children, including Because of Winn-Dixie, the classic story of a stray dog who manages to change the lives of everyone he meets. She is also the author of New York Times Bestseller Great Joy and two Newbery Medal winners, The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses. 

Charmingly illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, the Mercy Watson books are great first chapter books thanks to their short and exciting chapters, engaging characters, and fast-paced plotlines. They’ll introduce young readers to a variety of fun-to-learn and fun-to-use vocabulary words such as folly, carom, wily, and, of course, porcine! (By the way…in case you were wondering, that’s pronounced pôr-sīn!)

In the author bio of the final Mercy Watson book, Kate DiCamillo says, “Working with a pig (and Chris Van Dusen) has taught me that anything is possible.”

About the Books

In the first book of the series, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, Mercy decides she doesn’t want to sleep alone in her own bed—she wants to snuggle in between the Watsons in their bed. But when the bed begins to creak, and the floor begins to moan, the Watsons realize something has gone terribly wrong. They think Mercy has gone off to find help to save them from their perilous perch over a huge hole in the floor, but is filling her hungry tummy the real object of her mission?

When Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, you never know what might happen, especially when Eugenia Lincoln’s sister Baby stows away for an afternoon of fun. With a police officer in hot pursuit of their speeding pink convertible, things get even more out of hand when Mercy leaps into the driver’s seat and takes the situation into her own hooves!

In Mercy Watson Fights Crime, Mercy wakes up in the middle of the night to the sound of a toaster screeching across the counter. That means someone is making toast, Mercy’s favorite treat! But when she creeps down the stairs to get her share of the snack, it isn’t hot buttered toast she finds. Instead, she finds a small man with a big bag, and he’s robbing the Watsons! Will he make his getaway while Mercy searches for a snack, or will she inadvertently bring his life of crime to a screeching halt?

The Mercy Watson Series at a Glance

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre: children’s fiction
Interests: animals, zany adventures, humor
Suggested age range: 5 to 10
Gender preference: boys and girls
In the series: 6 books, 80-96 pages

Other Books in the Series

• Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise
• Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
• Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes

The Mercy Watson Series Checklist

Do your kids need a little extra encouragement to read?

Take our free Mercy Watson series checklist to your local library and have your child check off books as he reads them!

Looking for more great chapter books? We’ve got you covered!