10 St. Patrick's Day Picture Books

St. Patrick's Days was always a favorite holiday of mine when I was younger. I liked pinching people that didn't wear green. And searching for four-leaf clovers in my yard. But what I, and I would venture to say most people, liked most about the holiday were the leprechauns. I was fascinated by the thought that I could get a pot of gold or wishes by capturing them. I loved how the whole thing relied on cunning and intellect. 

The following books do a great job of capturing the essence of the holiday.

1. Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie De Paola

Jaimie is the laziest man in Ireland, but he's clever. One day he was avoiding planting his garden, and he stumbled across a leprechaun. Instead of getting a pot of gold, he was given a magic potato bean. When it was planted, the potato grew so large that it created more problems for Jamie.

My read aloud of this book: 

2. Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Katheryn Heling & Deborah Hembrook, Illustrated by Jay Johnson

This book is geared towards younger children. It uses bright, vibrant illustrations and rhymes to help count to ten. Kids will have fun identifying the different types of silly leprechauns.

My read aloud of this book:  

3. Three Ways to Trap a Leprechaun by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by Vivienne To

One time, when I was younger, I built a trap in the sandbox in my backyard, attempting to catch a leprechaun. I dug a hole, laid twigs across it, then added sand atop the hole. I never caught anything, but my dad DID step in it and twisted his ankle. I didn't get a pot of gold nor a wish. I always suspected that I never caught anything because I didn't have a Rube-Goldberg type of contraption. This book tells the story of a girl and her little brother making such contraptions to trap a leprechaun.

My read aloud of this book: 

4. Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman, Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

All of the luck in Ireland has been sealed into a treasure box by the leprechaun king. What Fioan lacks in luck, she makes up for with cleverness. She takes it upon herself to outwit the king to let her people have some of the land's luck. This book captures what I love the most about St. Patrick's Day, a chance to use your wits.

My read aloud of this book: 

5. That's What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Have you ever wondered what leprechauns do when nobody is around? Ari, Boo, and Col see that rain is coming, and they set off to bury treasure before the rainbow appears. But as they set off, they keep getting distracted by mischief. 

My read aloud of this book: 

6. O'Sullivan Stew by Hudson Talbott

Someone has stolen the witch of Crookhaven's horse, and there will be no peace in the village until it is returned. So bold, brassy Kate O'Sullivan takes matters into her own hands. But instead of saving the day, she manages to land herself--and her family--in trouble with the king. So Kate sets out to save their hides the only way she knows how--with a good story. Filled with imagination, wit, and a healthy helping of good old-fashioned Irish blarney, this is a hilarious tale that will keep readers coming back for more.

 

7. How to Catch A Leprechaun by Adam Wallace, Illustrated by Andy Elkerton   

You've been planning night and day, and finally, you've created the perfect trap with shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows galore! Now all you need to do is wait. Is this the year you'll finally catch the leprechaun? Start a St. Patrick's Day tradition with this fun and lively children's picture book and get inspired to build leprechaun traps of your own at home or in the classroom! Laugh along in this zany story for kids that blends STEAM concepts with hilarious rhymes and vibrant illustrations!

8. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Clover! by Lucille Colandro, Illustrated by Jared Lee

There was an Old Lady who swallowed things over and over, and now she's come back to swallow a clover!

She's back! 

That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Now she's swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.

9. Shannon and the World's Tallest Leprechaun by Sean Callahan, Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly

Shannon is a stepdancer with a broken shoe. How can she ever win the Saint Patrick's Day step-dancing contest? Enter Liam, the world's tallest leprechaun. A leprechaun grants wishes, right?

10. Liam the Leprechaun Loves to Fart by Humor Heals us

Liam the Leprechaun loves to fart! Sometimes, it makes him unpopular with the other leprechauns, and other times, it saves the day!

Leprechauns are like small elves. 
They always dress in green.
They’re mischievous and magical,
And rarely ever seen. 

The book series, Farting Adventures, celebrates the value of laughter. The Farting Adventures book series is geared to kids and adults ages 0-100 

What is your favorite part of St. Patick's Day? Do you have a favorite book that I haven't listed here?