Children's Book Recommendations

Four St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books and One Irish Tale

recommended by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian 📚❤️

(This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you).

St. Patrick’s Day (New & Updated) 

by Gail Gibbons (Author & Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holiday House. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823453399

Brief summary: This narrative nonfiction tells about the customs that are celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. Readers will also learn about St. Patrick’s life and some of his legends. I learned why it is celebrated on March 17th as well as that some say his real name was Maewyn.

Buy here.

Leprechaun vs. Easter Bunny 

by Todd Tarpley  (Author), Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316374262

Brief summary: A leprechaun and the Easter Bunny battle over the space in a garden. The leprechaun wants to hide his pot of gold, and the Easter bunny wants to grow tulips to hide colored eggs. Cupid comes along and wants to make plans for next year’s Valentine’s Day, moving all of their things out of the way. The two join forces and launch the baby out of the garden. Rhyming

Buy here.

Let’s Celebrate With St. Patrick’s Day Origami (Let’s Celebrate with Origami Series) 

by Ruth Owen (Author). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enslow Pub Inc. 2021. Primary/Intermediate grades. Paperback. 32 pages. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1978526679

Brief summary: Large colorful pictures with step by step directions to make a Celtic cross, shamrock, pot of gold, rainbow celebrations, and green ribbons. Explanation of St. Patrick’s Day, origami tips, glossary, index, and suggested websites for more information.

Buy here.

Saint Patrick the Forgiver: The History and Legends of Ireland’s Bishop 

by Ned Bustard  (Author). Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Kids. 2023. PreK-3. Hardcover. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1514007242

Brief summary: If you are looking for more of a religious story about Saint Patrick, this is the book. “Hello, my name is Patrick. You may have heard my story. I walked the span of Ireland to tell of God’s great glory.” Young readers will learn about Saint Patrick’s life as a child, being kidnapped to become a slave in Ireland and his escape back home. Saint Patrick continues to tell the reader how he forgave the Irish people and decided to preach Christianity there. The story is told through the viewpoint of a saint. Told in rhyme.

Buy here.

The Fog Catcher’s Daughter 

by Marianne McShane (Author), Alan Marks (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2022. Primary grades. Hardcover picture book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536211306

Brief summary: Eily and her father live on the coast of Ireland across from the isle of fairies, Lisnashee. Her father is the Fog Catcher and must row to the island and collect the magical fog on it every Midsummer. Eily helps prepare to keep her family safe from the Good People. Her father rows out to the island. Eily is worried as she has found his protection charm in a tree.

Young readers will be enchanted by Eily’s adventure to find her father and keep him safe. Beautifully illustrated with dreamy watercolors.

Buy here.