KATE DICAMILLO is the award-winning author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, THE TIGER RISING, and THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEYOF EDWARD TULANE. She says, "A long time ago, my best friend's son, Luke Bailey, put a toy pig in a toy car and pushed the car around the living room, screaming, 'Look, look, pig taking a ride! Pig taking a ride!' During the next few hours, this phrase was repeated with such shocking volume and intensity that it took up permanent residence in my brain. MERCY WATSON GOES FOR A RIDE is the direct product of Luke's obsession and mine, a decade or so after the fact. Look, Luke, pig taking a ride!"
CHRIS VAN DUSEN illustrated the first book in the Mercy Watson series, MERCY WATSON TO THE RESCUE. He says, "I have four brothers (no sisters!), and cars were a big part of my upbringing. So when I read this story about a wild car ride, I couldn't wait to get started. I made the Watson convertible a 1959 because I love old cars with lots of chrome, fins, and style. It was also great to visit these characters again. We're becoming good friends!"
