2007
WISE Score
Amazon
A pig in a tutu chasing buttered toast—it's the ultimate low-stakes Halloween caper for kids moving into chapter books.
4.8
4.8View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
Mercy Watson is the gold standard for early chapter books. It’s not 'brain rot' and it’s not a dry, leveled reader from a classroom bin.
Kate DiCamillo knows exactly how to balance simple vocabulary with a story that doesn't feel like it’s talking down to the kid. If you have a child who is just starting to read independently, this series is a mandatory addition to your shelf. It’s funny, it’s vibrant, and it’s completely stress-free.
Perfect for 4 to 6-year-olds as a read-aloud, and the sweet spot for 1st and 2nd graders to tackle on their own.
It is a charming, gentle story about a pig who loves buttered toast and the quirky neighbors who tolerate her. The tone is warm, the pacing is perfect for young minds, and the humor is entirely rooted in innocent misunderstandings.
Chris Van Dusen’s retro-stylized illustrations bring a vivid, almost cinematic quality to the page. The concept of a 'porcine wonder' navigating human social rituals like Halloween is inherently creative and funny.
There is zero objectionable content. No violence, no scary Halloween tropes, and no mature themes. It is as safe as a book can possibly be.
An elite 'bridge' book. It uses repetitive language and heavy visual support to help kids transition from picture books to chapter books without the frustration. It builds genuine reading confidence.
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