Picture Books for Saint Patrick's Day
Irish, Leprechaun, and St Patrick Themed Stories for Preschool
Feb 19, 2009
Every March 17th, people celebrate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. When Patrick was sixteen, he was taken as a slave to Ireland. He worked with animals and his Christian faith became strong. He converted thousands to Christianity. St Patrick is said to have brought literacy to Ireland. In another tale, it is said that Saint Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, perhaps a metaphor for bringing Christianity.
Interestingly enough, Saint Patrick's Day is also associated with a lot of pagan traditions and folklore from Ireland. Leprechauns, shamrocks, and the color green play a prominent role in the traditions of the day. Four-leafed clovers are said to bring luck. Leprechauns are small sprites who play a role in the management of the home and are said to make shoes for elves. Of course, each leprechaun also has a pot of gold, something to look for on St Patrick's Day!
These tall tales and non-fiction explorations of Saint Patrick's Day are sure to catch the interest of any preschool or kindergarten class.
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato
By Tomie dePaola. Published by Putnam Juvenile (1997)
In this story with echoes of the Enormous Turnip, a lazy man catches a leprechaun. The leprechaun gives him a seed potato that grows so large that the whole town digs it up to eat.
Jeremy Bean's St. Patrick's Day
By Alice Shertle. Published by Lothrop Lee & Shepard (1987)
This book is for all of those who have forgotten to wear green on Saint Patrick's Day. Jeremy Bean forgets too! He’s saved by his nemesis, the school principal.
Leprechaun Gold
By Teresa Bateman. Published by Holiday House (1999)
Donald saves a leprechaun from drowning. The leprechaun struggles to repay Donald for his act of kindness and sends him a woman with a heart and hair of gold. Wonderful watercolor pictures decorate this St Patrick’s Day book.
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
By Tomie De Paola. Published by Holiday House (1994)
For those who are looking for history or the religious connections of Saint Patrick's Day, here is another hit from Tomie De Paola. This picture book gives a short summary of St Patrick's life and legends.
A Pot O' Gold: A Treasury Of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, And (of Course) Blarney
By Kathleen Krull. Hyperion Books (2004).
This collection is for children who are just moving out of the picture book stage. For a general exploration of Irish culture of Saint Patrick’s Day, it’s a book packed with stories, riddles, and even Irish curses!
The Ring of Truth: An Original Irish Tale
By Teresa Bateman. Published by Holiday House (1997).
A man boasts that he can outdo the king of the leprechauns with his tall tales. Suddenly, he loses the ability to lie. Can he still win the local blarney contest? Soft illustrations of leprechauns grace this humorous St Patrick’s Day picture book.
Shamrocks, Harps, and Shillelaghs: The Story of the St. Patrick's Day Symbols
By Edna Barth. Published by Clarion Books (1977).
This book is for those who are curious about the traditions behind the folklore that surrounds Saint Patrick's Day. The book looks at leprechauns, shamrocks, and all of the St Patrick's Day traditions and characters.
Smaller holidays are a great opportunity for a preschool or kindergarten class to explore the traditions, stories, and history of another culture. Use St Patrick's Day picture books to start a green theme for a preschool or kindergarten class, learn about the tales of elves and fairies, or explore Irish history.
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