# Is "Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (Mercy Watson 5)" by Kate DiCamillo a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (Mercy Watson 5) by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick Press, 2008) is identified by: Fifth title in the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. US Candlewick edition is the true first (2008).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Fifth title in the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
- Candlewick, 2008
- First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page
- Issued in pictorial hardcover boards without a dust jacket, as issued
- Publisher imprint reads Candlewick Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Kate DiCamillo |
| Publisher | Candlewick Press |
| Year | 2008 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Children's / illustrated |
| Key point | Fifth title in the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Fifth title in the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick, 2008. First printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Issued in pictorial hardcover boards without a dust jacket, as issued.

## Is this the true first?
US Candlewick edition is the true first (2008). US author and US publisher, so no competing UK or Canadian precedence.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings advance the number line so the sequence no longer ends in 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (Mercy Watson 5)* by Kate DiCamillo a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/mercy-watson-thinks-like-a-pig-mercy-watson-5
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.