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 cocoa and a stack of well-buttered toast.
- Books
- Kids Fiction & Indies
- Kids Fiction
- A Very Mercy Christmas
A Very Mercy Christmas
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
4+
Release Date
September 27, 2022
ISBN
978-1536213607
Buy This Book
Stella Endicott felt joyful. She felt like something miraculous might happen. She wanted to sing.
Editor reviews
2 reviews
The Kindness in Caroling
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
5.0
‘A Very Mercy Christmas’ by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, tells the story of Stella Endicott. All she wants is to spread joy through Christmas carols, but no one wants to sing with her. She’s the only one who seems to have the spontaneous urge to take part in the tradition. She even tries to get her neighbor, Eugenia Lincoln, to take part, but Eugenia isn’t having it. Everybody seems to be too busy, but it doesn’t deter Stella. She ends up with Mercy the pig, as well as a cat and a horse, and they all sing together, even though Mercy generally prefers to be sung to, rather than to sing herself.
The miracle of the holiday season is clear as the book nears its end. Some of the people Stella tried to get to sing with her when she was getting ready to go out caroling begin to come together, with the biggest surprise of all being one of her neighbors with an accordion. The beauty of togetherness and kindness are more than evident by the last pages of the story, as they all sit down to share a meal together.
The miracle of the holiday season is clear as the book nears its end. Some of the people Stella tried to get to sing with her when she was getting ready to go out caroling begin to come together, with the biggest surprise of all being one of her neighbors with an accordion. The beauty of togetherness and kindness are more than evident by the last pages of the story, as they all sit down to share a meal together.
Good Points
The beauty of togetherness and kindness are more than evident by the last pages of the story, as they all sit down to share a meal together.
A Sweet Christmas Story
Overall rating
4.8
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
5.0
There is a reason why Mercy Watson books are so popular. The stories are engaging for children of all ages. This picture book features many of the Mercy Watson characters we know and love from her chapter books.
Stella Endcott wants to spread joy by caroling, but many of her neighbors can't come. The spontaneous plan to carol could have been ruined but Mercy, a cat named General Washington and a horse help save the caroling plan. Who knew that a pig could carol so well? And just when you think the story is over there is a little Christmas surprise.
The illustrations are excellent. I love the way Chris Van Dussen draws these characters especially Eugenia. Even without knowing anything about her, you can tell from her face that she's cranky and mean.
A Very Mercy Christmas is a must-read for any Mercy Watson fan or anyone who just loves the magic of Christmas!
Stella Endcott wants to spread joy by caroling, but many of her neighbors can't come. The spontaneous plan to carol could have been ruined but Mercy, a cat named General Washington and a horse help save the caroling plan. Who knew that a pig could carol so well? And just when you think the story is over there is a little Christmas surprise.
The illustrations are excellent. I love the way Chris Van Dussen draws these characters especially Eugenia. Even without knowing anything about her, you can tell from her face that she's cranky and mean.
A Very Mercy Christmas is a must-read for any Mercy Watson fan or anyone who just loves the magic of Christmas!
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