A Piglet Named Mercy Read Aloud
Read Aloud Picture Book · 32 pages · Preschool to Grade 2 · Candlewick Press · Published April 2019 · Mercy Watson prequel
A Piglet Named Mercy is a picture book prequel to the Mercy Watson early chapter book series. Kate DiCamillo wrote it. Chris Van Dusen illustrated it. Candlewick Press published it in April 2019. The story follows Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who live ordinary lives in their ordinary house on Deckawoo Drive. One morning a small pink piglet falls off a truck and lands on their front porch. The piglet changes everything. The book is written as a read aloud picture book, with a reading level of Preschool to Grade 2.
🎬 Storytime Read Aloud
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Mercy arrives on Deckawoo Drive as a tiny piglet in a basket
- Mr. and Mrs. Watson name her Mercy and bring her inside
- Mercy discovers toast with butter, and that is the start of everything
- The neighbors have opinions, especially Eugenia Lincoln
- This is the origin story for the Mercy Watson chapter book series
- It reads in under 5 minutes, perfect for bedtime
ABOUT THE CREATORS
About the Author and Illustrator
AUTHOR
Kate DiCamillo
Two-time Newbery Medal winner for The Tale of Despereaux and Flora and Ulysses.
ILLUSTRATOR
Chris Van Dusen
Illustrated the Mercy Watson series with bold gouache paintings and thick outlines.
Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo is a two-time Newbery Medal winner for The Tale of Despereaux and Flora and Ulysses. She also wrote the Mercy Watson early chapter books and Because of Winn-Dixie. She lives in Minneapolis.
Illustrator
Chris Van Dusen
Chris Van Dusen illustrated the entire Mercy Watson series. His bold gouache paintings with thick outlines give the books their warm, mid-century look. He also wrote and illustrated The Circus Ship and Hattie and Hudson.
What Happens in the Story
Mr. and Mrs. Watson live on Deckawoo Drive. They cut the grass. They wash the car. They vacuum the house. Mrs. Watson asks if their lives are too predictable. That night, a piglet bounces off a pig transport truck and wanders onto their front porch.
Mr. Watson opens the door in the morning. There is a piglet in a basket. The piglet is asleep. Mrs. Watson says the piglet needs a home. Mr. Watson agrees. They name her Mercy. The neighbors react. Eugenia Lincoln is horrified. Her sister Baby is in love. By the end of the book, Mercy is in the kitchen, eating toast, and the Watsons have never been happier.
Mercy discovers toast with butter in the Watson kitchen. The rest of the series is built on this moment.
Eugenia Lincoln is not happy about the pig. Baby Lincoln is already planning a visit.
Why It Works for Read Alouds
This book is short. It is warm. It is built on a single joke: Mercy loves toast. That joke runs through every Mercy Watson book. This picture book is where the joke starts. Once a kid understands that Mercy is a pig who lives in a house with a name, the rest of the series opens up.
Chris Van Dusen uses flat colors, thick outlines, and exaggerated expressions. The kitchen looks like every kitchen the kid has ever been in. The page turns match the rhythm of the conversation. Kids start predicting what Mercy will do next by page three. That is the sign of a good read aloud.
Once a kid understands that Mercy is a pig who lives in a house with a name, the rest of the series opens up. A Piglet Named Mercy
Who This Book Is For
This book works best for kids who are not yet reading the Mercy Watson chapter books on their own. It also works as a gentle introduction to the series for younger siblings. If your child already knows Mercy from the longer books, this one gives them the origin story. If they do not know Mercy yet, this is the place to start. Parents who read the chapter books to older kids will recognize the characters and the tone.
See our A Piglet Named Mercy Read Aloud for the full video.
Did this read aloud help you find your next bedtime book?
Buy Me a Coffee
Your support helps us keep adding new read aloud reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book the same as the Mercy Watson chapter books?
No. The Mercy Watson chapter books are early reader stories for kids who can read on their own. A Piglet Named Mercy is a picture book prequel that explains how Mercy arrived at the Watson house. It was published in 2019, years after the chapter books. The tone is the same, but the format is different. This one is designed to be read aloud.
What age is this book for?
The publisher lists it for Preschool to Grade 2. The sentences are short, the pictures are bright, and the joke about toast lands every time.
Do I need to read the chapter books first?
No. This is a prequel. You can read it without knowing anything about Mercy Watson. In fact, starting here and moving to the chapter books is a natural progression. The picture book introduces the characters and the setting. The chapter books expand on them.
Why do kids love Mercy Watson?
Mercy loves toast with butter. That single fact drives every story. She gets into trouble because she wants toast. The neighbors get involved because she is making noise about toast. Every book ends with Mercy on her bed, asleep, full of toast. Kids find this hilarious and predictable in the best way.
Are there other Mercy Watson picture books?
Yes. Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen published a second Mercy Watson picture book called Mercy Watson Goes on a Walk in 2024. A Piglet Named Mercy (2019) is the first picture book entry point.
What books are similar to this one?
Try the Mercy Watson chapter books, especially Mercy Watson to the Rescue. For similar humor and heart, try Because of Winn-Dixie by the same author, or The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen.
Learn More About This Book
- Publisher page (Candlewick Press)
- Goodreads reviews and ratings
- More books by Kate DiCamillo (Wikipedia)
- About the Mercy Watson series (Wikipedia)
August 1, 2026
