Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
Book Review of Children’s Picture Book by Illustrator Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola writes and illustrates a warm and very informative picture book about St Patrick the patron saint of Ireland and the inspiration for a popular holiday.
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland illustrated and written by Tomie dePaola (Holiday House, 1992 ISBN 0-8234-0924-4).
St Patrick’s Day is a holiday that is full of the strangeness that appeals to children. People wear green, march in parades, decorate with shamrocks and harps, eat green eggs and ham, consume green mashed potatoes, and perhaps even dress up like leprechauns. However, for many people, St Patrick’s Day ends with these fun activities. Artist and Illustrator Tomie de Paola introduces children to the fascinating story of the man who gave his name to the day.
He tells the story of a young boy who lived during the Christian Roman Empire with his family in Britain. They lived on the coast near the Irish Sea. The story traces his capture by marauding Irishmen who took him back to Ireland and made him a slave. Young Patrick was made a shepherd and during this time, he drew close to God to whom he prayed persistently both night and day.
God hears the young boy’s prayers and provides him the means of escape. Patrick’s escape has more than one miraculous occurrence in it that allows the boy to make the long, dangerous journey.
When Patrick returned home, he dreamt that the Irish people were begging for his return so that he could lead them to God. Patrick obeyed the dream from God and studied to become a missionary. Then he returned to Ireland.
Tomie dePaola goes on to tell of the events and miracles that occurred as Patrick witnessed to and converted the Irish people. He tells of many legends and miracles that surround St Patrick and includes the explanation of why the shamrock is such an important symbol of St Patrick’s Day.
Tomie’s passion was put into the writing of this book. Born to an Irish mother and Italian father, he fell in love with St Patrick while attending church with his Irish grandfather. The church they attended had a colorful statue of the saint. Tomie says that “I immediately forgot that I was half-Italian. Every year after that I celebrated St Patrick’s Day with gusto.” His Italian father celebrated as well, claiming that Patrick was from Italy.
Tomie’s mother encouraged him to write a book about this popular Irish patron saint and so we now have this detailed book full of warm illustrations. To learn more about St Patrick and his relationship to a popular holiday, read Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola.
