Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet story about a Christmas caroling pig and her friends.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A VERY MERCY CHRISTMAS transports readers to Deckawoo Drive at Christmas time. Stella Endicott wakes up in a cheerful spirit, feeling like "something miraculous might happen." She independently goes around the neighborhood trying to enlist help on her mission to go Christmas caroling. She can't seem to find anyone to join her impromptu choir, as the Watsons, Eugenia Lincoln, and Horace Broom all decline her invitation.
She does, however, pick up some animal friends on her journey. Mercy the pig, General Washington the cat, and Maybelline the horse give her some help. The animals join Stella in spreading melodious cheer around the neighborhood- eventually inspiring everyone to join in. Christmas miracles really do happen!
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun read for the whole family that modernizes the classic Christmas tradition of caroling. A Very Mercy Christmas is whimsical, cheerful, and fun. The book shows the power of coming together as a community to spread Christmas cheer, and suggests we should always leave room for unexpected miracles. The holidays are a great time to introduce readers to the Mercy Watson book series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how in A Very Mercy Christmas Stella begins her day feeling like "something miraculous might happen." What is a miracle? Have you ever seen something miraculous happen?
Mercy goes caroling in this story. What's your favorite Christmas carol to sing?
Why do you think all of Mercy's neighbors come together for Christmas carols and a meal at the end of the story?
Book Details
- Author: Kate DiCamillo
- Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models , Holidays , Horses and Farm Animals , Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Communication
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: September 27, 2022
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: December 21, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate