Leroy Ninker Saddles Up

Starred review from June 2, 2014
Leroy Ninker, the diminutive aspiring cowboy last seen trying to steal a toaster from the Watson household in Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006), gets his own starring vehicle in this kickoff to a spinoff series, Tales from Deckawoo Drive, featuring characters from DiCamillo’s books about the toast-loving pig Mercy. His thieving days behind him, Leroy works concessions at the Bijou Drive-In Theater and wishes he could ride into the sunset like the cowboys in Wednesday night’s Western double feature. Leroy’s boots, hat, and lasso can only take him so far—he needs a horse. His coworker Beatrice points him in the right direction, and Leroy finds his steed in a well-traveled horse named Maybelline. DiCamillo effortlessly slips back into the comfortable rhythms of Mercy’s world, infusing every chapter with subdued wit, warmth, and heart. Van Dusen matches the text stride-for-stride, delivering caricatured spot art and full-page scenes of the Pinocchioesque Leroy and the four-toothed, spaghetti-loving Maybelline, who Leroy comes to consider “the most splendiferous horse in all of creation.” Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

August 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-Fans of Mercy Watson will delight in meeting Maybelline, a horse who loves to hear the melody of pretty words, likes the company of others, and enjoys spaghetti noodles. Leroy Ninker is a concession stand worker at the local drive-in movie theater with dreams of being a real-life cowboy. One day-"Yippie-i-oh"-he discovers a horse for sale. Leroy ends up choosing Maybelline for his mount. Adventure ensues as Leroy must learn how to ride her, find her food and shelter, and cure her fear of rain. Van Dusen's black-and-white cartoon pictures provide a lighthearted humor that makes the book a good choice for transitioning readers. Character driven, this fast-paced story is sure to please. A fun new edition to the cast and crew of "Mercy Watson" (Candlewick).-Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2014
Leroy Ninker dreams of being an honest-to-goodness cowboy as he watches Western movies while working at the concession stand at the drive-in theater.He has some of the lingo down pat, and he knows he will need boots, a hat and a lasso. But his co-worker points out that he is missing the most important element of all: a horse. Providentially, there is a horse for sale. Though she is swaybacked and almost toothless, it is love at first sight when Leroy sees Maybelline. Leroy is given some unusual instructions; he must sweet-talk and compliment the horse, feed her plenty of grub and never leave her alone for more than a few moments. So there he is with a horse that won't fit through his door, gobbles up potfuls of spaghetti and needs constant attention. Adventures and misadventures abound, and both horse and cowboy become lost in a scary storm. But with a little help from some old friends who have appeared in the author-illustrator team's earlier works, it all comes together with the expected happy ending. DiCamillo's quirky, eccentric characters speak in flowery sentiments and employ charming wordplay. Along with Van Dusen's well-matched illustrations, there's a sweet, retro innocence reminiscent of McCloskey's classic Homer Price. Despite the old-fashioned accent, the absurdities will easily appeal to a modern audience.Filled with love and kindness and glorious sweet-talk: "Yippee-i-oh." (Fiction. 6-9)

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July 1, 2014
Grades 2-4 Reformed robber and would-be cowboy Leroy Ninker (last seen in the Mercy Watson books) lassos his own series. Leroy spends his nights working the drive-in concession stand, dreaming of 10-gallon hats and western boots. Ticket seller Beatrice Leapaleoni convinces him to take fate in your hands and wrestle it to the ground, so he adopts a horse from Patty LeMarque. Patty's instructions on Maybelline's care are to the point: sweet-talk her, feed her a lot of grub, and never leave her alone. The first two instructions go well (Leroy spouts poeticals, and Maybelline loves his spaghetti), but his errand to fetch an umbrella takes longer than expected, and the horse wanders off. Predictably, she ends up at Deckawoo Drive for a happy reunion featuring familiar friends and a lot of buttered toast. DiCamillo's use of inventive and colorful language and Van Dusen's stylized gouache illustrations make this story click. Give this to graduates of the earlier series looking for a bit more of a challenge.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
Leroy Ninker, the "reformed thief" from the Mercy Watson books, dreams of being a cowboy. "Every cowboy needs a horse," so he purchases "old but good" and "very exceptionally cheap" Maybelline. Unfortunately, acquiring a horse and keeping one turn out to be two different challenges, but Leroy rises to the occasion. Van Dusen's shiny-faced characters infuse the multi-layered tale with extra energy and expression.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2014
Leroy Ninker, the "reformed thief" from this team's Mercy Watson books, still makes ends meet serving popcorn at the Bijou Drive-In Theater but dreams of being a cowboy. Sporting a cowboy hat, lasso, and boots, he watches raptly the Wednesday night Western double-feature but makes little progress otherwise. Then he receives some advice from a colleague: "Every cowboy needs a horse." After purchasing "old but good" and "very exceptionally cheap" Maybelline and inspecting her hooves and teeth (and finding four of each), Leroy throws himself into horse-ownership completely. Unfortunately, acquiring a horse and keeping one turn out to be two different challenges, but Leroy rises to the occasion in his own way, whispering sweet nothings into Maybelline's ear and preparing pot after pot of spaghetti for her. Spot art, full-page art, and double-page spreads with Van Dusen's characteristic shiny-faced characters infuse the plot with extra energy and expression. Part cowboy story and part pet love story, this multi-layered tale beautifully balances comically exaggerated details and true spirit. Mercy Watson fans will enjoy being back in the saddle in this slightly more advanced spin-off. julie roach

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)