Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy the pig climbs into bed with the Watsons, and all three awaken to find the bed balanced over a large hole in the floor. The rescue problem grows directly from an affectionate domestic habit, so comfort and catastrophe arrive in the same scene.

The book’s distinctive appeal is that Mercy can be both the source of chaos and part of the family at risk. It is a useful first Mercy story for readers who like animal comedy anchored in a recognizable home routine. Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride moves the chaos onto the road; To the Rescue is the better introduction because the Watson home and bedtime habit establish the family.