A Very Mercy Christmas

For fans of Mercy Watson, old and new, comes a joyful crescendo of favourite characters in a picture-book celebration of the quiet miracles Christmastime brings.

When Stella gets the sudden idea to go caroling, she has a little trouble getting someone to join her. Her brother, Frank, is not good at spontaneity. The Watsons are very involved in a precarious fruitcake attempt (but happy to send their pig, Mercy, out for the occasion). Eugenia Lincoln declines, a bit rudely, to accompany on her accordion, and Horace Broom is too busy studying planetary movement. Will Stella need to sing by herself – with enthusiastic contributions from the pig, the cat, and the horse she picks up on the way? Or does the evening hold a miracle Stella hadn’t expected? With tender affection for Mercy Watson and all her Deckawoo Drive friends, Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen offer a picture-book homage to the season that is perfectly suited for family sharing – perhaps with some cups of hot chocolate and a stack of well-buttered toast.

Thanks to DiCamillo’s quirky and endearing characters and subtle use of scene, [this story] feels like a bit of Christmas magic. . . . This celebration of community lit from the spark of just one joyful child anchors this familiar, warm story. . . . Has to be said: It hits all the right notes. Kirkus Reviews
Expressive, pink-flushed characters sparkle in scenes bedecked with festive cheer in the winsome illustrations of this holiday tale. Foreword Reviews
Van Dusen’s cool tones, saturated colors, and expressiveness pair well with the written words, providing nuance. . . a heartwarming Christmas story that emphasizes being kind to one another. School Library Journal
In this latest Deckawoo Drive picture-book spin-off, young Stella Endicott is feeling the Christmas spirit. . . . As usual, Van Dusen’s humorous, sharply characterized illustrations pair well with DiCamillo’s mix of down-to-earth language and transporting lyricism. The Horn Book
Singing Christmas carols with kids is one of the great joys of the season and this sweet picture book will inspire even the most tuneless among us to join in. Amazon Book Review

Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for young readers, including the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. A Piglet Named Mercy was the first picture book about the infamous "pig wonder". Her books Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux both received Newbery Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, she lives in Minneapolis, USA.

Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including The Circus Ship and Big Truck, Little Island, and the illustrator of the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. He lives in Maine, USA.

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