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Mercy Watson #2
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
The New York Times best-selling porcine wonder finds herself behind the wheel in this hilarious adventure available in paperback.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" — and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel! Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix!
Mr. and Mrs. Watson's porcine wonder, Mercy, loves nothing more than a ride in the car. It takes a fair amount of nudging and bribing and a "You are such a good sport, darling" to get the portly pig out of the driver's seat, but once the convertible is on the road, Mercy loves the feel of the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. One day the Watsons' motoring ritual takes an unexpected turn, however, when their elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some "folly and adventure" — and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel! Soon there's a policeman on her tail, a struggle for the brake, and a blissfully airborne Mercy. Of course, it's nothing that an extra helping of buttered toast can't fix!
80 pages, Library Binding
First published May 9, 2006
75 people are currently reading
1678 people want to read
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
162 books11.1k followersKate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 514 reviews
March 12, 2018
What a fun beginning reader story this was. Mercy is such a fun character and the story is so zany. I mean it is pure fun. Obviously, Mercy goes for a ride in a pink convertible with Mr. Watson and that pig wants to drive. Mrs. Watson is still fixing buttered toast and the neighbors are still quirky.
Kate is able to take a simple and interesting story and reveal the fun of it into this different level. These are marvelous stories about a pig. I enjoy these and the kids enjoy these too. I'll finish off this series for sure.
Kate is able to take a simple and interesting story and reveal the fun of it into this different level. These are marvelous stories about a pig. I enjoy these and the kids enjoy these too. I'll finish off this series for sure.
March 15, 2017
so cute!!
also: can you tell what i've been spending all my time doing? working. i'm a nanny. but at least i love my job, right?
also: can you tell what i've been spending all my time doing? working. i'm a nanny. but at least i love my job, right?
January 5, 2019
I would've read this one sooner, but I had to wait for it from the library. These books are obviously quite popular, as there's a wait list for all of them.
This is the second book in the Mercy Watson series, and the third book I've read that takes place in this world. As usual, Kate DiCamillo gives readers an entertaining story about the porcine wonder, Mercy Watson. In this installment, Mr. Watson takes Mercy out for their usual Saturday drive in his pink convertible. But the day turns out to be anything but usual. Baby Lincoln, one of the Watsons' elderly neighbours, has stowed away in the backseat, and Mr. Watson gets distracted just long enough for Mercy to jump onto his lap and take control of the car. What follows is a police chase, a near-death experience for the porcine wonder, and plenty of buttered toast. Of course.
I wasn't quite as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. It's still strong, and I did like how safety is emphasized (when Baby Lincoln and Mr. Watson are trying to stop the car, they make a point of always making sure their seat belts are buckled). DiCamillo's great use of vocabulary words is on display here ("careened" and "caromed" are unusual words to see in a children's book), and the illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are as charming as ever. However, I just didn't feel as much magic as I did with the first book, or as I did with Leroy Ninker Saddles Up. It's still a strong book for beginning readers, but the story is a little bit short.
Quotable moment:
This is the second book in the Mercy Watson series, and the third book I've read that takes place in this world. As usual, Kate DiCamillo gives readers an entertaining story about the porcine wonder, Mercy Watson. In this installment, Mr. Watson takes Mercy out for their usual Saturday drive in his pink convertible. But the day turns out to be anything but usual. Baby Lincoln, one of the Watsons' elderly neighbours, has stowed away in the backseat, and Mr. Watson gets distracted just long enough for Mercy to jump onto his lap and take control of the car. What follows is a police chase, a near-death experience for the porcine wonder, and plenty of buttered toast. Of course.
I wasn't quite as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. It's still strong, and I did like how safety is emphasized (when Baby Lincoln and Mr. Watson are trying to stop the car, they make a point of always making sure their seat belts are buckled). DiCamillo's great use of vocabulary words is on display here ("careened" and "caromed" are unusual words to see in a children's book), and the illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are as charming as ever. However, I just didn't feel as much magic as I did with the first book, or as I did with Leroy Ninker Saddles Up. It's still a strong book for beginning readers, but the story is a little bit short.
Quotable moment:
"Laws have been broken," said Officer Tomilello.
"Pig!" shouted Eugenia.
"Excuse me?" said Officer Tomilello.
"It's all that pig's fault," said Eugenia.
August 19, 2022
I always brought these home when working in the library, and this was a family favorite. Kids books that I enjoyed reading, too. (Ok, I enjoy most of them, to be fair, but anything by Kate DiCamillo you cannot go wrong with.)
January 26, 2024
I hope the target audience for this book laughs out loud when reading as much as I did!
September 15, 2025
Fun read when Baby Lincoln joins a car ride with Mercy Watson.
January 6, 2016
I liked it when Mercy eats a butter sandwitch.
July 14, 2017
My family is officially a Mercy Watson fan! On to #3!
July 24, 2019
'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. 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.
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. 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.
January 11, 2025
This was a cute beginner chapter book that I read with my 5 year old. Mercy Watson is a pig who always gets up to something and Mr. and Mrs. Watson think she is just incredible, a porcine wonder in fact! In this book she's super goofy and tries to drive Mr. Watson's car! Thankfully Baby Lincoln went on this adventure too, to "engage in some folly" and was able to save the day.
My five year old thinks Mercy is absolutely ridiculous and SO funny. She can't wait to get the next book in the series.
My five year old thinks Mercy is absolutely ridiculous and SO funny. She can't wait to get the next book in the series.
October 1, 2021
“What folly, what fun, what an adventure!”
This story is silly. My first grader, who currently has a fever and isn’t feeling too well, loved this book’s ridiculous plot and silly sisters. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some buttered toast to go make!
This story is silly. My first grader, who currently has a fever and isn’t feeling too well, loved this book’s ridiculous plot and silly sisters. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some buttered toast to go make!
October 17, 2019
So darn cute!!!
June 3, 2020
Kate does it again. She blends easy to read, lovable characters and plot lines with humor. What a fun read! Thanks Kate for another great story to add to our Mercy collection!
February 17, 2011
I have been wanting to read Mercy Watson for some time. I adore all of Kate DiCamillo's books and cherish the lessons each book teaches its reader. This book was such a pleasant surprise. Mercy Watson was hysterical in both the writing and the illustrations. I laughed out loud many times while reading. How could you not laugh about an older couple who truly adores a pig with a mind of its own, a man who's driving is so hazardous because he feels no one should look behind them but always be looking forward to the future (which makes backing out of the driveway dangerous), and one very busybody of a neighbor who do not like Mercy AT all!
This is one of several Mercy books that will delight young readers with it's simple, yet comical plot. In this adventure, Mercy and Mr. Watson are taking their Saturday drive as usual. Now take their typical Saturday drive and mix in a runaway defiant neighbor, a pig who decides to drive, and a police officer who can't remember all the rules! It's a recipe for disaster.
Watch as Mercy makes a normal day an extra exciting day!
This is one of several Mercy books that will delight young readers with it's simple, yet comical plot. In this adventure, Mercy and Mr. Watson are taking their Saturday drive as usual. Now take their typical Saturday drive and mix in a runaway defiant neighbor, a pig who decides to drive, and a police officer who can't remember all the rules! It's a recipe for disaster.
Watch as Mercy makes a normal day an extra exciting day!
April 6, 2012
I enjoyed all of the Mercy Watson series, as did my just turned 7 year old daughter. I liked DiCamillo's witty story and the illustrations that further bring it to life. I highly recommend reading the stories in order as the characters from the earlier books are used throughout the series.
My daughter enjoys reading these books to herself and out loud to me. They fill the gap between traditional early readers and early chapter books. These books are chapters books, however, the vocabulary is not overly complex nor too simple. These are confidence building books for children who are bored with traditional early readers, what to read chapter books, like some of their peers, but are not quite ready to take that leap. They are enjoyable, fast pace books that are delightful to read out loud or to yourself.
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride is a delightful story about a father and his pig taking their weekly Saturday drive. This, however, is no ordinary weekly drive.
My daughter enjoys reading these books to herself and out loud to me. They fill the gap between traditional early readers and early chapter books. These books are chapters books, however, the vocabulary is not overly complex nor too simple. These are confidence building books for children who are bored with traditional early readers, what to read chapter books, like some of their peers, but are not quite ready to take that leap. They are enjoyable, fast pace books that are delightful to read out loud or to yourself.
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride is a delightful story about a father and his pig taking their weekly Saturday drive. This, however, is no ordinary weekly drive.
May 1, 2012
I was not as impressed with this Mercy Watson book as I was with Mercy Watson to the Rescue and Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. The sentences seemed clipped and much more simple and less inspired in this one, and I didn't really feel like there was much driving (no pun intended) the plot.
My niece was annoyed by the officer in this book. She said, "There's way too much asking yourself questions in this book," which was the officer's character quirk. Neither one of us loved this one, but I do hope that she will check some of the others out from her school library, because I kind of get a kick out of these!
My niece was annoyed by the officer in this book. She said, "There's way too much asking yourself questions in this book," which was the officer's character quirk. Neither one of us loved this one, but I do hope that she will check some of the others out from her school library, because I kind of get a kick out of these!
January 9, 2016
Mercy Watson loves to go for a car ride. Of course, she'd rather be driving, but pigs can't drive. Eugenia Lincoln thinks taking pigs for a drive is folly, but Baby Lincoln thinks she could use a little more folly in her own life. One weekend, the Watson drive starts as normal, but ends up with Mercy taking the wheel, a stowaway revealed, and a police car chase. It's definitely more excitement than expected and may result in serious trouble.
Ah Mercy, the porcine wonder, is always good for a humorous read. Is it any wonder that Mercy dreams of driving? A humorous tale that will thrill younger readers with its astounding escapades. Van Dusen's illustrations make this story just as much as DiCamillo's perfect word choice.
Ah Mercy, the porcine wonder, is always good for a humorous read. Is it any wonder that Mercy dreams of driving? A humorous tale that will thrill younger readers with its astounding escapades. Van Dusen's illustrations make this story just as much as DiCamillo's perfect word choice.
July 9, 2009
This was a FUN read. The writing was certainly on level for a 6-8 year old. I read it aloud to my 4 year old. She was captivated by the story and I must admit the writing sucked me in too. I found myself wanting to keep turning the pages and sailing through the chapters to see what was going to happen. The characters were interesting and well put together - unlike some of the other characters we have come to meet in early chapter books (who tend to be one dimensional). We had a great time making up voices. The illustrations were bright and fun and really added to the story. We will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
December 12, 2013
A book my 6 yr old loved, a little old for my preschoolers. A solid reading level 3 book, this reader has a good amount of advanced vocabulary words, but not so long that it discourages a new reader. Used it for his read out loud book, which was perfect. It took about 20 mins for him to read and had just enough new vocabulary words to make it challenging. Also, it was a fun and interesting story he could get into. He liked it so much, he asked for more by this author. Great reading book!
August 4, 2017
This series was recently on a great sale and I purchased all for my room! I read the second one today, and I feel it follows up the first in a positive way. I love the illustrations and style of this one by Kate DiCamillo, a favorite author of mine. This will be a great addition to our library and I hope my incoming students will enjoy these books as much as I am getting caught up on the works of one the best current children's authors.
April 10, 2014
One of the best aspects of the Mercy Watson books are the illustrations and the clipped sentences. The combination makes these books hilarious! In one scene, where Mercy is happily driving the convertible, we read a sentence about Mr. Watson not being able to feel his legs from the pig on his lap. This is the stuff of out loud laughs in childrens books!
February 18, 2017
These Mercy Watson books are all fun. Love the senior ladies who live next door - Eugenia and "Baby" Lincoln. And Police Officer Tomilello. Love how every book ends with Mrs. Watson making Mercy's favorite treat for all present... hot toast "with a great deal of butter." These are simply fun and wholesome books!
June 24, 2017
This book was about a man and a pig and a car. The pig wanted to drive the car and it wanted to have toast. It likes toast. It drived the car and it had toast and they said not to drive the car. I liked that it got toast when it was in trouble and toast was the pig's treat. I didn't like that the people next door hated them. This book was funny because it have a treat when it was bad. (age 7)
September 28, 2015
Mercy Watson further exercises a lack of impulse control and drives a car. This was a cute enough story, and I love the Lincoln sisters, but I wasn't thrilled about my son's newly piqued interest in which pedal is the gas and which is the brake. Ugh, thanks, Mercy.
August 27, 2016
This series is so cute! If you haven't read it yet,
well, you should!
well, you should!
May 2, 2022
3.5 stars?
re-read in 2022 with reading group, and change to 4 stars as a readaloud :)
re-read in 2022 with reading group, and change to 4 stars as a readaloud :)
January 15, 2019
Another funny tale of Mercy’s adventures or follies as her neighbor Eugenia would call them. This time she goes out for a ride with Mr. Watson and tries to drive the car. As if that wasn’t bad enough Baby Lincoln also sneaks off along with them. A police chase ensues. Cute book for early readers. Repetitive but that’s what kids need and like right?!? I don’t know I’m not a kid anymore but it seems like a book kids will enjoy.
November 7, 2019
I like this one better than the first. It’s so funny! All of us were laughing! Mercy is funny and the circumstances are entertaining. There were some things we thought were oversights, but then they were addressed and explained. This also will make your kids want to wear their seatbelts! Haha. I’m glad we really this and will be reading the rest of the series and all the Deckawoo Drive books!
February 27, 2022
The grandkids are fans of Mercy Watson. So am I.
Mercy ends up trying to take control of Mr Watson's convertible while Mr Watson is driving it. Disaster is averted with the aid of Baby Lincoln, who stowed aboard in search of adventure and folly.
Mercy ends up trying to take control of Mr Watson's convertible while Mr Watson is driving it. Disaster is averted with the aid of Baby Lincoln, who stowed aboard in search of adventure and folly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 514 reviews