The Ultimate List of St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books
We went on the hunt to find you the best St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Books. We did lots of research, checked out TONS of books and read each and every one in order to narrow it down to our favorites. Some were really fun and engaging and others not so much…let’s just say that not all St. Patrick’s Day Children’s books are created equal. Here are the ones that made the cut!
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Fun Saint Patrick’s Day Children’s Books:
You Shamrock My World by Rose Rossner + Ela Smietanka
Cute. Good for littles. Preschooler said that she loved something on every page. Kindergartner said “that’s a baby book”, 2-year-old sat and read it with us. Ages 18m+
The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow by Sean Callahan + Nancy Cote
The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow is about a girl named Colleen who meets a leprechaun, Roy G. Biv, on a rainy St. Patrick’s Day. When his rainbow disappears, he asks for her help to bring it back—one cherished item at a time. It’s a sweet St. Patrick’s Day children’s book about sacrifice, kindness, and a little bit of magic. Ages 3+
The Story of the Leprechaun by Katerhine Tegen + Sally Anne Lambert
In the faraway village lives a talented little shoemaker–who also happens to be a leprechaun. This tale was a fun read and I’ll probably end up buying this one to add to my holiday book collection. Ages 3.5+
A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski + Tom Curry
We loved this one! In the rivalry between the towns of Tralee and Tralah, the annual St. Patrick’s Day decorating contest is a big deal, and Tralah always wins. But this year, Fiona Riley has a brilliant idea that could help Tralee finally take the top prize. Ages 4+
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing + Amy Wummer
A super cute St. Patrick’s Day twist to the classic Christmas poem. Ages 3+
The Littlest Leprechaun by Brandi Dougherty + Michelle Todd
We all really enjoyed this sweet, simple story in our home. Liam is the smallest leprechaun in his family, but he’s determined that this year he’ll finally be able to help out on St. Patrick’s Day. Even though being little makes his leprechaun duties tricky, Liam doesn’t give up and finds a way to make his size one of his strengths. Ages 3+
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting + Jan Brett
Little Jamie seeks a way to prove he’s not too young to march in the big St. Patrick’s Day parade. I’ve always been a fan of Jan Brett’s illustrations. Published in 1980, this one was sweet and simple and reminded me of books I grew up with. Ages 4+
That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting + Emily Arnold McCully
We giggled our way through this one. What do leprechauns do? They bury pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, of course. But as Mrs. Bally Bunion’s ox, Miss Maude Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon discover, leprechauns can’t resist stirring up a little mischief along the way—because, aside from hiding gold, causing trouble is what they do best! Ages 4+
Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson + Katy Bratun
Jack the mouse goes to visit his cousin in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day and spends the day trying to catch a leprechaun. Another sweet read. 4+
Three Ways to Trap a Leprechaun by Tara Lazar + Vivienne To
This was a really fun read. The story is about an older sister who is showing her little brother all the ways to catch a leprechaun so she can prove to him that they are real. They have a sweet and fun sibling relationship that I really appreciated. Ages 4+
The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever! by Teddy Slater + Ethan Long
A cute story about a family of leprechauns celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all together. Ages 3+
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt + Oliver Jeffers
Crayons celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by drawing different aspects of the holiday – shamrocks, rainbow, leprechaun, etc. My 2 year old left after the first page, my preschooler was giggling at different parts, and my kindergartener thought it was funny too. Ages 3+
Educational St. Patrick’s Day Books
St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
This is a great book for preschoolers and early readers. I learned a lot about Saint Patrick and the traditions of the holiday. Gibbons helps explain what’s fact and what’s legend in the history of St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll also find out why we wear green, what shamrocks mean, and other fun traditions! Ages 3.5+
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland is another more informational based book. It tells the story of Saint Patrick’s journey from kidnapped shepherd to missionary, bringing Christianity to Ireland. Blending history and legend, Tomie dePaola shares the miracles and teachings that made Patrick a beloved saint. Ages 4.5+
What is St. Patrick’s Day? by Elaine Landau
This is one you’d find in an elementary school and was a quick informative read about different aspects of St. Patrick’s Day. My kindergartener enjoyed it and we both learned a few new things together. Did you know that Saint Patrick was a slave in Ireland when he was young? We didn’t! Ages 5+
Let’s Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Peter and Connie Roop + Gwen Connelly
This book is another one I think I’ll purchase myself just to have in my holiday collection! It talks about the history, customs, and folklore of St. Patrick’s Day and includes a craft, a recipe, along with jokes and riddles. Just a fun festive one! Ages 4+
Irish Folktales:
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman + Kelly Murphy
My 5 year old and I really enjoyed this one. Fiona’s Luck is about a clever Irish girl who outsmarts the Leprechaun King to bring luck back to Ireland after he locks it away. With wit and determination, Fiona proves that brains can be just as powerful as magic. Ages 4+
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato is a humorous Irish folktale about a lazy man who tricks a leprechaun into giving him a magical potato seed, only to end up with a potato so enormous it causes more trouble than good. With Tomie dePaola’s charming storytelling, it’s a fun tale about luck, laziness, and unexpected consequences. Ages 4+
The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo + Loretta Krupinski
Another winner in our home! The Irish Cinderlad is a Cinderella-style folktale about a boy named Becan, who overcomes his cruel stepfamily and sets off on an adventure with the help of a magical bull. With courage and kindness, he slays a dragon, rescues a princess, and proves that fairy-tale heroes aren’t always princes—they can be ordinary boys with brave hearts. Ages 5+
Finn McCool and the Great Fish by Eve Bunting + Zachary Pullen
Finn McCool and the Great Fish tells the story of the legendary Irish giant, Finn McCool, who catches a magical fish with the power to grant wisdom. With a mix of humor and adventure, Finn’s cleverness and bravery help him outwit the fish and find a new way to use his newfound knowledge. Ages 4+
Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk by Gerald McDermott
Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk is about Tim and his wife, Kathleen, who are so poor they don’t have a penny or even a potato to their name—there’s not even enough food for their cats! When Tim sets out to find work, he meets a group of leprechauns who offer him gifts to change his luck, but only if he can avoid the tricky McGoon family along the way. Ages 4+
Our Favorites!
Grace: The three I’ll most likely purchase for my own St. Patty’s Day collection:
- Let’s Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Peter and Connie Roop + Gwen Connelly
- The Story of the Leprechaun by Katerhine Tegen + Sally Anne Lambert
- St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
Emma: My favorites, and ones that I’ll add to our own family’s St. Patrick’s Day children’s books collection:
- The Story of the Leprechaun by Katerhine Tegen + Sally Anne Lambert
- The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow by Sean Callahan + Nancy Cote
- A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski + Tom Curry
Whew! There’s our roundup of St. Patrick’s Day Children’s books. We hope you find the perfect book from this list to help you and your family enjoy the fun of St. Patrick’s Day!
