In this Mercy Watson picture-book spinoff, young Stella Endicott is feeling the Christmas spirit. She asks her neighbors to go caroling, but all the humans are either too busy or not interested. Eugenia Lincoln even closes the door in her face. So it's just Stella, pig Mercy Watson, cat General Washington, and horse Maybelline who raise their voices in song. "It was very loud, and very joyful, and not very musical." When the other residents hear them, they all join in -- even Eugenia Lincoln. As usual, Van Dusen's humorous, sharply characterized illustrations pair well with DiCamillo's mix of down-to-earth language and transporting lyricism. "They stood together, and above their heads, above Deckawoo Drive, above the tired and hopeful earth, the stars were shining, shining, shining down." Martha V. Parravano November/December 2022 p.14(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

K-Gr 2--Stella Endicott is spontaneous: in a moment of joy, she wants to go caroling and share the joyful feeling with others. Unfortunately, her neighbors and friends are busy and not as willing to change their plans as quickly. Luckily, Mercy the pig loves being sung to and joins Stella as she tries to recruit others. It is not long before a cat and horse join them, and when Mercy sings with Stella, something miraculous happens to draw everyone together. Gouache art on each spread in this emerging reader chapter book assists the story. Van Dusen's cool tones, saturated colors, and expressiveness pair well with the written words, providing nuance to vocabulary and characterization. This is a heartwarming Christmas story that emphasizes being kind to one another over any strong religious tone. VERDICT Recommended, especially for libraries where the series is popular and emerging reader books are needed.--Rachel Zuffa

DiCamillo and illustrator Van Dusen collaborate again, this time on a holiday story that includes their beloved porcine heroine, Mercy Watson. Though Stella, who lives next door to the Watsons, is determined to spread spur-of-the-moment Christmas spirit, when she goes door to door asking for neighbors to go caroling with her, no one is willing except for Mercy, General Washington the cat, and Maybelline the horse. The quartet's loud and "not very musical" version of "Deck the Halls" brings out the neighbors for an accordion concert and an impromptu merry feast. In any other hands, this story might be too saccharine, but thanks to DiCamillo's quirky and endearing characters and subtle use of scene, it feels like a bit of Christmas magic. Van Dusen's distinct rosy-cheeked characters give life to the uniquely named neighbors. Perhaps the most powerful illustration shows the group hand in hand looking up at the stars. Readers' perspective is from below them, forcing the eye up and into the beautiful night "above the tired and hopeful earth," a pitch-perfect pairing with DiCamillo's poetic text. This celebration of community lit from the spark of just one joyful child anchors this familiar, warm story. Stella is biracial, and most of her neighbors are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Has to be said: It hits all the right notes. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.