Lucky Leprechaun Reads
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year for the patron saint of Ireland. What began as a religious feast has now morphed into a celebration of all things Irish and in turn the Leprechaun has become the day’s mascot. In Irish folklore the Leprechaun is a type of fairy who we all know grants wishes and has a hidden bowl of marshmallowy magically delicious cereal at the end of a rainbow (or more traditionally a pot of gold). However you decide to celebrate or not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, at least enjoy some Leprechaun fun in these books…
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The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever! By: Teddy Slater The St. Patrick’s Day parade is ready to start. The Leprechauns are marching with lots of heart. If you follow along, you’ll find laughter and fun – and the luck of the Irish – before the day is done! Ages 4-8 |
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St. Patrick’s Day From the Black Lagoon By: Mike Thaler It’s St. Patrick’s Day and Hubie needs to find something green to wear for the big class parade. Leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, pickles – how can he possibly make a decision with all these great options? Ages 8-11 |
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That’s What Leprechauns Do By: Eve Bunting When leprechauns Ari, Boo, and Col need to place the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they cannot help getting into mischief along the way. Ages 4-7 |
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Shannon and the World’s Tallest Leprechaun By: Sean Callahan Shannon has been practicing for the local St. Patrick’s Day step dancing competition, but worries about her homemade dress and second-hand shoes until she summons a very unusual leprechaun, hoping that he can help her do well. Ages 6-9 |
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Leprechaun in Late Winter By: Mary Pope Osborne Jack and Annie travel back to nineteenth-century Ireland to inspire a young Augusta Gregory to share her love of Irish legends and folktales with the world. Ages 7-10 |
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Jimmy’s Leprechaun Trap By: Dan Kissane While watching his father’s sheep, Jimmy spots a leprechaun who starts playing tricks on the family until Jimmy and his grandfather bait a trap, but the leprechaun responds by carrying off the old man, and Jimmy must find a way to get him back. Ages 8-12 |
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Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato: An Irish Folktale By: Tomie DePaola The laziest man in all of Ireland catches a leprechaun, who offers a potato seed instead of a pot of gold for his freedom. Ages 4-8 |
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Dear Mr. Leprechaun: Letters From My First Friendship By: Martin Nelson Burton The author reflects on his childhood correspondence with a leprechaun who–in the handwriting style of the child’s father–taught him the true meaning of a steadfast friendship. Ages 4-9 |
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Traveling Tom and the Leprechaun By: Teresa Bateman A wandering minstrel outwits a leprechaun to win the heart of a princess, who will only marry a man of daring, intelligence, and humor. Ages 5 and up |
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The Morning segment included an interview with the authors of “Lucky the Leprechaun”, while children were on set to build and design a leprechaun trap in the hopes of catching a quick and clever leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day.