the Mercy Watson series

What is the silliest thing Mercy did in the books?

Evy (3): "She tries to eat a hot butter toast candy on Halloween! And she tries to not get her princess dress on."

Gabe (6): "Someone thought she was a monster! And the police came and found out it was a pig."

Julia (8): "I think the funniest thing is that she thinks that chasing is really fun. Like when she gets chased by people who are actually trying to catch her."



Mom's Notes: Because I think Kate DiCamillo is an incredible writer, I purchased this set on a whim for a family Christmas gift. Mercy Watson is a hoot and these simple stories are hilarious. The books are very easy-readers, so Julia breezed through them on her own and they are just the right level for first-grade Gabe. Evy and I have read them all more than once in the past few months, usually reading an entire book in one sitting while the babies nap and we snuggle on the couch. So naturally she now often requests "toast with a great deal of butter on it" for lunch! Who can resist?

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

If you were shooting into space with Willie Wonka in a glass box, would you be nervous? Would you trust Mr. Wonka?

Julia (8): "I would be kind of nervous, but seeing how strong the glass elevator is would make me not as nervous. I would trust Mr. Wonka because he made some wonderful things and he's a really nice man."

Gabe (6): "I would trust him because I've seen the first movie."

The Vita-Wonk can make any person younger. Would you want to take the magic pill? Why or why not?

Julia: "When I'm a grandma I might like to, but not now because then I turn into a minus! And I would listen to Willie Wonka carefully so I would know how many pills to take."

Gabe: "I would if it made you three years younger because I liked it when I was three."

Mom's Notes: This book was an unpredictable adventure! We had no idea the story of Willie Wonka and Charlie went so far beyond (and above!) the famous Chocolate Factory.