Books for St. Patrick’s Day

Here are a few of our favorite stories for St. Patrick’s Day. Hope you like them, too!

Note:  All these books and more are now available through BMTM’s aStore. Click here for more information.

Fin M’Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill 

Tomie dePaola

“In olden times when Ireland’s glens and wood were still filled with fairies and leprechauns, giants, too live on that fair emerald island.” And one of those giants was Fin M’Coul and his wife Oonagh. Fin was a good giant who worked hard. In fact, he was said to have built the causeway between Scotland and Ireland. M’Coul’s only enemy was Cucullin, the strongest and scariest giant around. Cucullin had beaten every other giant in the land except for Fin who had managed to escape meeting Cucullin.  When news arrived of Cucullin coming to find Fin, he and his wife devised a plan to trick the mean giant so that he would never bother them again.

Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk

Illustrated by Gerald McDermott

Tim O’Toole and his wife Kate were so poor that “they had not a penny or a potato between them. Their children ate porridge for supper. Even the mice were thin from want of food and the cat wouldn’t bother with chasing the creatures.” Kate became so fed up from Tim sitting around moaning about their misfortune that she set him off to find work. At first, Tim had no luck, but while resting in the “cool, green clover” he heard the sound of “merry piping and lilting voices raised in song and laughter.” He knew immediately that his luck had changed because “whoever spies the wee folk in the light of the day can demand their treasure.” The wee folk did not hand over their gold coins, but instead other treasures given with the warning to go right home and not to brag about them. Of course, Tim did not go straight home nor did he keep quiet about his treasures…

Clever Tom and the  Leprechaun: An Old Irish Story

Linda Shute

Tom Fitzpatrick was walking along one day when he heard the sound, “click-clack, click-clack” through the bushes.  Tom tiptoed closer for a better looked and discovered that the sound was coming from a leprechaun who was mending a fairy’s shoe.  Tom knew his luck had changed!  He knew if he caught the leprechaun he would have to give up his gold. Tom managed to grab a hold of the wee man who was obligated to show Tom where his gold was buried. And, true to his word, the leprechaun did show Tom where his gold was hidden, but not without another trick or two from the wee man.

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato: an Irish Folktale

Tomie dePaola

Jamie O’Rourke was the “laziest man in all of Ireland” and was used to his wife doing everything for him. So when his wife hurts her back and cannot tend to the household and garden chores, Jamie fears he will starve to death.  With luck, Jamie happens upon a leprechaun who offers Jamie the biggest “pratie” in the world in exchange for his freedom.  Jamie plants the potato seed which does indeed grow into the biggest “pratie” anyone in the village has ever seen.  The gigantic potato wreaks havoc in the village before Jamie’s wife steps in and solves the big potato problem.

Also look for Jamie O’Rourke and the Pooka by Tomie De Paoloa

The Leprechaun Trap: A Family Tradition for Saint Patrick’s Day

David and Kelly

A story about an Irish-American family’s  St. Patrick’s Day tradition.  Each year a leprechaun visits this family’s home and, oh,  the chaos that ensues while the children try to capture the wee fellow for his pot of gold. Perhaps this story will inspire your children to create their very own leprechaun trap!

Other St. Patrick’s Day Books:

St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting

The Leprechaun’s Gold Pamela Duncan Edwards

If this is your first time visiting Boy Mama Teacher Mama, welcome!  Did you know that you can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and G+? Stop by to see what is happening!

© Boy Mama Teacher Mama 2013

All Rights Reserved