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.
Chris Van Dusen is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including The Circus Ship and Big Truck, Little Island, and the illustrator of the Mercy Watson and Deckawoo Drive series. He lives in Maine.
New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) Tweets by Social Media Coordinator, Kathy Ellen Davis.
Kate DiCamillo (@KateDiCamillo) will be at the conference talking about her book A Very Mercy Christmas published by Candlewick Press (@Candlewick), illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. #nvnrAugust22 https://t.co/FBuQrnxidV
Author (she/her) #12x12PB #CtCWriters #SCBWI Repped by Lori Steel - Red Fox Literary #StoryJammers #STEAMTeamBooks #PBSpree No DMs
A perfect pairing of two magical kidlit makers. A Very Mercy Christmas by Kate Dicamillo and illus. by Chris Van Dusen https://t.co/leBPMT472A via @phtilton #kidlit #picturebooks #Christmas
Expressive, pink-flushed characters sparkle in scenes bedecked with festive cheer in the winsome illustrations of this holiday tale.
--Foreword Reviews
Van Dusen's cool tones, saturated colors, and expressiveness pair well with the written words, providing nuance. . . a heartwarming Christmas story that emphasizes being kind to one another.
--School Library Journal
In this latest Deckawoo Drive picture-book spin-off, young Stella Endicott is feeling the Christmas spirit. . . . As usual, Van Dusen's humorous, sharply characterized illustrations pair well with DiCamillo's mix of down-to-earth language and transporting lyricism.
--The Horn Book
Singing Christmas carols with kids is one of the great joys of the season and this sweet picture book will inspire even the most tuneless among us to join in.
--Amazon Book Review
For both newcomers and fans of Mercy Watson and the characters of Deckawoo Drive alike, this Christmas tale is sure to put a smile on your kid's face. . . . With fun, colorful illustrations, it's a celebration of the small miracles the holidays bring. Best of all, when you order this book, a Mercy ornament is included!
--Romper
Fans of the Mercy Watson series will love this holiday installment.
--VeryWell Family