A Very Mercy Christmas
#4 of 6 in Mercy Watson Series
What’s inside...
For fans of Mercy Watson, old and new, comes a joyful crescendo of favorite characters in a picture-book celebration of the quiet miracles the holidays bring. Mercy ornament included! Stella Endicott felt joyful. She felt like something miraculous might happen. She wanted to sing. 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.
Discussion points
How do you think Mercy felt when she saw the bright Christmas lights for the first time?
What is the importance of sharing and giving during Christmas as shown in the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone the way Mercy did? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think the author chose Christmas to show Mercy’s adventure?
What does Christmas mean to you, and how can we make it special for others around us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your tone and pace to match the festive spirit of the story.
Pause at key moments to ask your child how they predict the story will progress or how a character might be feeling, which enhances comprehension and empathy.
After reading, relate the story's themes to your child’s life by discussing family traditions and ways they can spread joy during the holiday season, much like Mercy.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their favorite part of the book. This not only deepens their understanding but also allows for creative expression.
Organize a small ‘book club’ discussion with family or friends to discuss 'A Very Mercy Christmas,' fostering social skills and reinforcing the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and generosity
Explanation: In the story, Mercy the pig shows kindness and generosity to her friends, organizing a Christmas celebration and sharing what she has.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their toys and snacks with friends, and help in organizing small events to make others happy.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and community
Explanation: Throughout the book, Mercy interacts with various characters, demonstrating the warmth and support of a close-knit community during the holiday season.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate their own community and friends, and to actively participate in communal activities like school events or neighborhood gatherings.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Mercy encounters several challenges in preparing for the Christmas festivities but finds creative solutions to each problem.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to their daily lives by thinking of innovative ways to overcome challenges they face, whether in school or at play.