MERCY WATSON: SOMETHING WONKY THIS WAY COMES
written by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763636449
Ages 6-8
96 pages
When Mrs. Watson hears that the movie playing at the Bijou Drive-In Theater is called When Pigs Fly, she is entranced by the notion that such a film would surely be an inspiration to the Watsons' own cherished pig, Mercy. And when Mercy hears that the Bijou doesn't stint on real butter on their all-you-can-eat bucket of popcorn, she is over the moon with anticipation.
The Watsons pile into their huge pink convertible where they are accosted by their inquisitive neighbor, Baby Lincoln, as well as her scoffing sister, Eugenia. When Mr. Watson invites the Lincolns along, they hop in. Next, they discuss their destination with the neighborhood kids Frank and Stella, who likewise accept an invitation to the movies.
They are not the only movie-goers Mercy Watson series readers will recognize. Police Officer Tomilello has taken his wife ("Mrs. Officer Tomilello") out to catch a flick at the drive-in, too. Animal Control Officer Francine Poulet is also at the Bijou with her date, Alfred P. Tomkins. And cowboy-wannabe Leroy Ninker, once nabbed as a burglar in MERCY WATSON FIGHTS CRIME, is now reformed and selling those Bottomless Buckets of popcorn in the Bijou concession stand.
When the Watson car pulls up to the ticket booth, ticket-seller Beatrice Leapaleoni has a bit of an issue with selling a movie ticket to a pig. But when Mrs. Watson explains that Mercy is actually a porcine wonder, Beatrice admits there are no rules against admitting porcine wonders to the drive-in.
Once ensconced in their spot and waiting for the movie to start, Mercy begins to sniff the wonderful, rich, delicious scent of butter wafting through the air. Mr. Watson and Frank have gone off to buy popcorn, but Mercy cannot contain herself. She must follow that fragrance. Unfortunately, she attracts the attention of Francine Poulet, who recognizes Mercy from a previous adventure…and of course, Francine just happens to have her pig-catching net along. Meanwhile, Mercy is on the hunt and her tunnel-vision focus on finding butter is leading her into all manner of mayhem, which results in the intervention of police officers, lasso-wielders, her family, friends and various others. In the resulting ruckus, one person knows just the perfect way to conclude the escapade.
SOMETHING WONKY THIS WAY COMES is another irresistible addition to the Mercy Watson chronicles, complete with its trademark good spirits, adorable retro illustrations, lively plot and loveable characters. This is just the thing to read while munching on a big pile of toast dripping with a great deal of butter.
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)
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