(This is an update version of a post first published several St. Pat's ago!) :D
When I take my reading basket and head out to read to children, I have some strick guidelines for what books make it in that basket: reading must be fun, should be - at least most of the time - informative, and ought to be enhanced by lovely illustrations, well-chosen words, evocative descriptions and imagery. In short, everything I want from a great classic work of literature, I demand for my story time books as well.
Holidays are especially tricky. There are SO many fun, rollicking rhyme books with goofy illustrations – and don’t get me wrong, we read them! But, if you have just a select amount of time, perhaps you are looking for more. For instance, St. Patrick was a wonderful hero of the faith, a bold and fearless man. It is worth celebrating his day, learning a little of the Emerald Isle’s myths and traditions, and maybe even feasting on Irish Soda Bread as you read (the link takes you to my favorite recipe - serve with green punch!) At my house we also enjoy the wearing of the green, finding four-leaf clovers, and perhaps even making leprechaun traps!
Here are just a few of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day reading choices :
When I take my reading basket and head out to read to children, I have some strick guidelines for what books make it in that basket: reading must be fun, should be - at least most of the time - informative, and ought to be enhanced by lovely illustrations, well-chosen words, evocative descriptions and imagery. In short, everything I want from a great classic work of literature, I demand for my story time books as well.
Holidays are especially tricky. There are SO many fun, rollicking rhyme books with goofy illustrations – and don’t get me wrong, we read them! But, if you have just a select amount of time, perhaps you are looking for more. For instance, St. Patrick was a wonderful hero of the faith, a bold and fearless man. It is worth celebrating his day, learning a little of the Emerald Isle’s myths and traditions, and maybe even feasting on Irish Soda Bread as you read (the link takes you to my favorite recipe - serve with green punch!) At my house we also enjoy the wearing of the green, finding four-leaf clovers, and perhaps even making leprechaun traps!
Here are just a few of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day reading choices :
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For the youngest among us, this book captures all the basics in a charming, simple story. How a book with so few words can convey so much information is truly a lesson to all of us who call ourselves authors. I think this is “the” book to start with in terms of laying out the basics of the day. Other books will have more detail on St. Patrick, or more about the legends of clovers and leprechauns, more Irish History, more modern day fun. But none of them so simply present a foundation for pre-schoolers and kindergartners about just what it is we do and why, on St. Patrick's Day. |
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For older elementary students, this book is a treasure! With more detail, and actual quotes from Saint Patrick himself, the author retells a fairly detailed biography. I find this book is a bit too much for the preschool-K crowd, but slightly older children love it, and are especially intrigued by the section on St. Patrick's boyhood and early years. |
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This gem of a book tells about the Irish potato famine, a family's immigration to America from Ireland, and the keepsake that reminds generations about the Emerald Isle from which they came. A good introduction to Irish history for the youngest set, and a sweet book about family traditions. Since my family has some straggling Irish roots, we used this as an opportunity to link our personal history with immigration and talk about why people might come to a new country to seek a better life. This is a beautiful book, with a beautiful heart. |
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Two by Tomie! Of course, Tomie DePaola's marvelous books are always popular with kids and adults alike. His "Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland" not only summarizes the main points of Patrick's life, but retells some of the legends of the saint as well. Of course, the real attraction is Mr. DePaola's recognizable style. Here, he incorporates Celtic artistic elements into the design. Some parents may hesistate with this particular book because it does - at the end -retell some of the legends and myths associated with his life. If that were an issue for me, I would simply stop after the biography portion. Nevertheless - a beautiful and worthy addition to the celebration of the day. DePaola's "Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato" falls under the category of simply FUN books with a leprechaun, a big potato, and a bit of magic thrown in. This Irish folktale is lovingly illustrated by Tomie DePaola in his signature style, with lots of color and detail - simply and exquisitely drawn! |
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I am a little embarrassed that I left this off the list last time. One of our all-time favorite "Just-for-fun" books, this Gerald McDermott classic is told with a hint o'Irish lilt and a heap of clever fun. This simple tale is big on lucky leprechauns, mean McGoons, and has a sprinkle or two of clover along the way! McDermott is a Caldecott award winner, and his illustrations are always charming! |
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In the same rhyming style as "The Night Before Christmas," Natasha Wing cleverly tells the tale of an Irish family preparing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The rhyme - and Stan Wummer's cheery illustrations - will intrigue children to pay close attention to the tales of gold coins, leprechaun traps, bagpipes, and the wearing of the green! Added bonus? The siblings in this book get along & work together! |
If you have younger children, you might also enjoy some of these fingerplays and silly songs I use with 3-7 year olds! (If there are younger children, older children will often happily join right in!)
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The Clover Dance Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Have a four-leaf clover cut-out &stapled to a paper straw for each child Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves, Clover, Clover, pretty and free. Touch my head, then my toes. Land on my nose as the March wind blows. Clover, Clover, turn around. Clover, Clover, touch the ground. Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves, Clover, Clover, pretty and free, Touch my elbow, then my thumb, Land on my chin as we look up to the sun, Clover, Clover, turn around. Clover, Clover, touch the ground. Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves, Clover, Clover, pretty and free, Touch my ear, then my knee, Clover, thanks for playing with me! Clover, Clover, turn around, Clover, Clover, it’s time to sit down! The Green Jig Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It” If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands! If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands! If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands, then smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!” If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig! If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig! If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig, then smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!” If you’re wearing green today, sit back down! If you’re wearing green today, sit back down! If you’re wearing green today, sit back down, then smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!” Clover Pokey (to the tune of Hokey Pokey) Use clover stapled to straw, as in The Clover Dance Put your clover up, you put your clover down, Put your clover up and you shake it all around. Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp) Put your clover in front Put your clover in back, Put your clover in front and give your knee a whack. Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp) Put your clover on your knee, Put your clover on your toe, Put your clover on your head and then shake it to and fro, Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp) Put your clover to the left, Put your clover to the right, Put your clover to the left and now nod with all your might, Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, Now please sit down on the ground! TEN Little Leprechauns (TEN) little leprechauns standing up tall. (hold up ten fingers) (TEN) little leprechauns, all very small. Brrrr, it’s windy! I cannot stay! (Hug self and shiver) And one little leprechaun skipped away. (skip in place) *Continue counting down until you reach zero Have a WONDERFUL St. Patrick's Day, and remember: Not all Rigor is Mortis! |
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