Yup, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with children’s books! Boy, how our lives sure have changed since our younger days. But, seriously, it’s never too early to read to children. My husband and I have both worked in libraries (I’m a school librarian), so we feel that it’s important to instill this love of books in our children. It creates a solid foundation of learning, opens a whole new world of imagination, and offers an opportunity for routine bonding time...honestly, the rewards go on and on. So, today I'm sharing some favorite children's books to help get your kids in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George - This is a favorite at our house! This series of Curious George holiday books has given us ideas for fun activities and broadened our son’s idea of what each holiday means, and this one is no exception. It actually feels like you’re checking out the parade and having a real Irish party with everyone’s buddy, Curious George.
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato - I’ve used the word already, but this is MY personal favorite. There are other Jamie O’Rourke books, but I prefer this one’s potato reference (not that young kids need to know about the famine, but it was the livelihood for many in Ireland). Extra points if you read it with an Irish brogue; my students LOVE it when I do.
S is for Shamrock - Another wonderful series that give a very different spin on your typical ABC book. This one will give your child a tour of the country itself, taking them to famous landmarks, all through Eve Bunting’s incredible poetical writing.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover - A new take on a silly old story, the rhythm and repetition will have kids excitedly “reading” along. What does the old lady make this time with all the crazy things she swallows? Here’s a hint: It’s where you hide your pot o’ gold!
How to Catch a Leprechaun - With fun illustrations and colorful descriptions of all the naughty tricks leprechauns will play on you (I mean, seriously, a green toilet?), your little ones will be giggling up a storm reading this book. Plus, it’s a great way to get their minds going to craft their own leprechaun traps! Let’s not leave the older kids out! Here are some of my favorite suggestions for 2nd-4th grade.
Leprechaun in Late Winter - Follow Jack and Annie (of the Magic Treehouse fame) to long-ago Ireland where they must inspire a girl to share her creativity with the world. When she shows no signs of imagination, they take her to a magical world...where things go different than they had expected.
Leprechauns Don't Play Basketball - We all know something’s not quite right at the Bailey Elementary School, right? Things are no different in this installment (albeit a more fun, lighthearted read), where their new substitute teacher for gym class is awfully short and full of...magic?
Mary McLean and the St. Patrick's Day Parade - A picture book that blends Irish folklore with the harsh realities of an Irish immigrant family in the 1850s, my students had a hard time determining whether this was historical fiction or fantasy. Very well-written with perfectly-accompanying illustrations, this one’s just right for teaching slightly older kids a bit of Irish history.
How are you guys celebrating St. Patrick's Day? Crafts? Books? Leprechaun traps? Do tell!
