Yippie-i-oh! Saddle up for the first in a spin-off series starring favorite characters from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books.
Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse — until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Maybelline loves spaghetti and sweet nothings, and she loves Leroy, too. But when Leroy forgets the third and final rule of caring for Maybelline, disaster ensues. Can Leroy wrestle fate to the ground, rescue the horse of his heart, and lasso loneliness for good? Join Leroy, Maybelline, and a cast of familiar characters — Stella, Frank, Mrs. Watson, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy — for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
Full of loyal friendship, compliments and even some hot buttered toast in the end!
By Great Kid Books
Leroy may be a small man, but he has big dreams of being a cowboy--a real cowboy like he sees in the movies. But--as his coworker at the drive-in movie theater tells him--every cowboy needs a horse. He's got to "take fate in (his) hands and wrestle it to the ground." And with this inspiration, Leroy sets out to find himself a horse and a loyal friend. When Leroy finds Maybelline, we wonder if she's the right horse for him. We can certainly see in Van Dusen's drawings that she doesn't look like an ideal horse. And yet, Leroy understands exactly what she wants: plenty of compliments, lots of food and loyal companionship. That isn't too much for anyone to ask, is it?Leroy and Maybelline's mishaps, from a tiny apartment balcony to a rain-sodden chase scene, will bring lots of laughter from listeners and readers alike. But it's Leroy's devotion and Maybelline's happiness that will stick with readers.Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is a longer chapter book than the Mercy Watson series. It will make a great read-aloud to first graders who are reading Mercy Watson on their own. Second and third graders who loved Mercy last year will get a hoot reading Leroy Ninker now. There's definitely more text, fewer illustrations and more challenging words.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful.warm and loving book!
By CameraLuv
This is a wonderful book for younger readers or a read-aloud book for even younger readers. Ms. DiCamillo has done the children's literature world another huge favor!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.A Must Read For Any Mercy Watson Fans!
By Dad of Divas
This is such a fun book! My daughter loved the Mercy Watson books and when we received this book she knew exactly what book Leroy Ninker was in and was excited to be able to see him in his own story. The author did a great job as usual to make Deckawoo Drive come alive with its' unique and fun characters as well humorous plot. We were chuckling throughout the story and had a blast reading this together. One of the things that I really like about this author is that she writes in a way that an earlier reader (let's say 1st grade) can handle reading by herself or with minimal assistance. That being said, this story is a ton if fun. You get to really get to know Leroy Ninker in a much deeper way and he gets into some fun situations with food and friends and so much more. If you liked Mercy Watson, you will love this new story, and if not, you need to read this and the Mercy Watson stories, you do not know hat you are missing until you do!*I received this for review - all opinions are my own*
