32 St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in your homeschool? We do because our family heritage is Irish and because I think it’s important to learn about the real St. Patrick in terms of Christian history.
If you’re looking for both fun and educational St. Patrick’s Day books for kids, make sure you pin this post for reference and take it with you on your next trip to the library (or virtual shopping trip on Amazon).
The Best St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
1. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing
If you like Twas the Night Before Christmas, you’ll recognize the rhyming pattern in this book! It’s a cute rhyming picture book about a brother and sister who set a trap for a leprechaun — and actually catch one!
2. Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Kathryn Heling
Count from one to ten as one little leprechaun looking for treasure magically becomes ten silly leprechaun friends at the end of the rainbow! A humorous, rhyming celebration of St. Patrick’s Day!
3. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George Board Book by H.A. Rey
George loves a celebration, and St. Patrick’s Day means plenty o’ music, dancing, and feasting fun! He dresses up in his festive finest, looks for leprechauns, and learns some Irish dance steps. But can George make it to the parade without causing any trouble?
4. The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever by Teddy Slater
It’s March 17th, and the Leprechauns are gathered for their favorite day of the year. Join them as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with music, dancing, and a parade! Kids will love this rhyming story and the fun illustrations.
5. St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
If you’ve read a Gail Gibbons book before, you know what to expect — excellent illustrations and educational nonfiction that kids actually enjoy. You’ll learn the story of Patrick’s life, legends about the saint, and the history of the holiday in this book.
6. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola is another favorite classic children’s book author. This book is a nice introduction to Irish legends.
7. That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting is another one of our favorite children’s book authors. This is a fun book about all the mischief leprechauns can get into while burying their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
8. St. Patrick’s Day by Anne Rockwell
This book includes Irish tales and traditions, Irish music and dancing, and St. Patrick — all through the eyes of an Irish girl in her classroom.
9. Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Jack Mouse is visiting his cousin Sean in Ireland. Sean tells Jack about the myth of leprechauns, and Jack is determined to catch one for himself!
10. The Story of Saint Patrick by James A. Janda
Prisoner, slave and saint! Even though a lot of people celebrate the day of the wearing of the green, few know the actual story of this remarkable and exciting man.
11. Hooray for St. Patrick’s Day! by Joan Holub
Who doesn’t love a lift-the-flap book? Children can lift the flaps for interactive fun as they see the children in this book make holiday crafts, taste traditional Irish food, perform a play about Saint Patrick, and even march in a Saint Patrick’s Day parade. As an added bonus, they can search for the hidden leprechaun on each spread.
12. St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting
Another classic by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Jan Brett. Jamie seeks a way to prove that he is not too young to march in the big St. Patrick’s Day parade.
13. The Leprechaun’s Gold by Pamela Duncan Edwards
In this classic Irish legend, two harpists—merry-hearted Old Pat and ill-spirited Young Tom—set off for a contest to name the finest harpist in all of Ireland. When Young Tom realizes that Old Pat is truly the better musician, he schemes to be the winner—but he doesn’t reckon with the clever trickery of a mischievous little leprechaun.
14. O’Sullivan Stew by Hudson Talbott
Someone has stolen the witch of Crookhaven’s horse, and there will be no peace in the village until it is returned. So bold, brassy Kate O’Sullivan takes matters into her own hands. But instead of saving the day, she manages to land herself–and her family–in trouble with the king. So Kate sets out to save their hides the only way she knows how–with a good story. Filled with imagination, wit, and a healthy helping of good old-fashioned Irish blarney, this is a hilarious tale that will keep readers coming back for more.
15. Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk by Gerald McDermott
Tim O’Toole and his wife, Kathleen, are so poor they have not a penny or a potato between them. When Tim goes out to find a job, he stumbles upon “the wee folk”—a band of leprechauns who give him gifts to make his fortune. That is, if Tim can keep clear of the evil McGoon family. . . .
16. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
A hilarious read-aloud inspired by Irish folklore that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, featuring colorful artwork in Tomie dePaola’s signature style.
17. St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet by Beverly Vidrine
This beautifully illustrated storybook dictionary explains 26 Irish traditions.
18. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! by Lucille Colandro
She’s back! That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Now she’s swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.
19. The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh (Albert Whitman Prairie Paperback) by Janett Nolan
A family retells the story of the shillelagh that was whittled from a tree. During the Irish potato famine, Fergus and his family left for America. But first Fergus cut a branch from a blackthorn tree to take a piece of Ireland with him. This book is especially touching for anyone with Irish heritage, as we have in our family.
20. Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting
Rabbit is growing shamrocks in a pretty yellow pot–he’s getting them ready for St. Patrick’s Day so he can wear them for the parade! When his pot of beautiful green shamrocks goes missing, he goes searching . . . will he find them in time?
21. The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day by Patricia A. Pingry
The story begins with the traditional symbols of the day that are often found in schoolrooms, such as shamrocks, harps, and leprechauns. Then the narrative moves to a short biography of Saint Patrick himself: as a shepherd, as a missionary, and as a teacher. This colorful boardbook ties together the live of Patrick with the traditional images of Ireland.
22. The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow by Sean Callahan
It’s raining, and Colleen is sad. How can her grandfather play his bagpipes in the St. Patrick’s Day parade? His music is so beautiful it makes people laugh and cry at once. Suddenly, a leprechaun appears before her. He says he can make the sun come out by creating a rainbow – but to build its colors, Colleen must give up the thing she holds most dear.
A note at the end explains the science of rainbows and the Roy G. Biv naming tradition.
23. The Leprechaun Trap: A Family Tradition for St Patrick’s Day by David Clinch
A children’s book that tells the story of the naughty Leprechaun that comes to visit an Irish-American family every Saint Patrick’s Day and the damage he causes when the children try to trap him and get his gold.
24. A Berry Lucky St. Patrick’s Day (Strawberry Shortcake) by Mickie Matheis
My girls always liked Strawberry Shortcake — and so did I when I was little! It’s fun to find a story featuring one of our favorite characters.
25. Fin M’coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill by Tomie dePaola
Another great book from Tomie dePaola! When the fiercest giant in all of Ireland comes knocking at his door, what can peaceful Fin M’Coul do to escape him?
26. Leprechauns Never Lie by Lorna Balian
Ninny Nanny and Gram decide to catch a leprechaun and use his pot of gold to solve their problems. But finding the fortune is a lot of work! Told in a sweet lilting Irish brogue.
27. Discovery in the Woods: A St. Patrick’s Day Surprise by Sandy Barton
What is all the fuss about? What could be in that deep dark hole under the tree? And what in the world has happened to Sophie’s poor nose? A St. Patrick’s Day surprise is discovered in the woods one soggy March day. Come join the fun!
28. The Story of the Leprechaun by Katerine Tegen
Ever wondered why leprechauns hide their pot of gold at the end of rainbows? The answer is revealed in this beautifully illustrated picture book!
29. Lucky Tucker by Leslie McGuirk
After rolling in a patch of four-leaf clovers on St. Patrick’s Day, Tucker the terrier goes from having nothing go his way to becoming the luckiest dog of the day.
30. Brigid’s Cloak by Bryce Milligan
Brigid’s Cloak retells an ancient tale about one of Ireland’s most beloved saints and her blue cloak.
31. A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski
Welcome to the rival towns of Tralee and Tralah, where the annual St. Patrick’s Day decorating contest is under way. Every year, Tralah defeats Tralee. This year, though, little Fiona Riley has a wonderful idea that will help Tralee win the contest for sure. But neither town has counted on a stranger arriving—a funny little man with pointed ears and boots trimmed with bells—who will turn the contest upside down!
32. Clever Tom and the Leprechaun: An Old Irish Story by Linda Shute
Clever Tom Fitzpatrick thinks his fortune is made when he captures a leprechaun and forces him to reveal the hiding place of his gold, but the leprechaun is clever too.
Have you read any of these books?
You might also like this post all about Ireland unit study resources:
St. Patrick’s Day Themed Learning
I’m joining in with some of my blogging friends to bring you this round-up of resources for St. Patrick’s Day lessons. I’m sure you’ll find them useful!
Enjoy a round-up of craft ideas for St. Patrick’s Day and find something fun to make with the kids!
Want some language arts activities for St. Patrick’s Day? You’ll find them here.
Need a simple activity for your younger learners? This St. Patrick’s Day trace and color book will help!
Bring some engaging, hands-on learning adventures into your holiday celebrations with these St. Patrick’s Day STEM activities over at Hess UnAcademy!
Music in Our Homeschool offers a way to Learn all about the Celtic Harp in this 15-Minute Music Lesson freebie. Add some Fine Arts to your St. Patrick’s Day lessons along with this free printable pack.
These St. Patrick’s Day printable activities and crafts from Blessed Homeschool are perfect for upper and lower elementary aged kiddos, and include everything from educational STEM activities to fun crafts that will stimulate their creativeness.
These St. Patrick’s Day notebooking pages from Homeschool Helper Online let your children practice their writing skills in a fun way to create a story or to show what they’ve learned about St. Patrick’s Day.
See how to make St Patrick’s Day fun with this leprechaun invasion over at Our Crazy Adventures In Autismland!
What is the legend behind St. Patrick, which led to the association of a festival in his name? How is the day celebrated? Learn these facts and more in the The History Behind St. Patrick’s Day Traditions from Homeschool On the Range.
Do this fun and creative activity from I Choose Joy with your kids to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day: Shamrock Salt Painting. Includes a free printable set of Shamrock outlines to use for the painting or for coloring pages.
Download FREE St. Patrick’s Day themed repetition punch cards to use in your homeschool over at Homeschool with Moxie, plus get a great round-up of easy homeschool holiday activities for your elementary students.
Looking for some easy and awesome ideas for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in your homeschool? Look no further! Check out these Awesome Ideas for Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Your Homeschool from Some Call It Destiny.
All you need for this fun and tasty St. Patrick’s Day activity is simple round cookies, colored icing and one simple book! Find out more in the Little Blue and Little Yellow: An Easy, Fun and Tasty Activity from The WOLFe Pack.
In All You Do has put together a roundup of St. Patrick’s Day homeschool activities. From puzzles and math practice to copywork and writing prompts, you’ll have enough St. Patrick’s day lessons and activities for the entire month!
Find a fun new read-aloud in these favorite leprechaun books for preschoolers from Homeschooling 4 Him that will help your child learn about St. Patrick’s Day, leprechauns, shamrocks, and more.
The St. Patrick’s Day Unit Study for Homeschooling Families from Whole Child Homeschool includes resources for an extensive unit study about St. Patrick and the holiday in his honor.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day just became a little easier for busy homeschool moms! These 15 shamrock crafts for kids of all ages from Thrive at Home are easy to make with basic craft supplies.
This collection of St. Patrick’s Day Resources from Geez, Gwen! has everything you need to plan a fun and educational lesson for your students.
Don’t miss this fun FREE Saint Patrick’s Day printable activity pack for preschool and kindergarten from Everyday Graces Homeschool.
In the History of St. Patrick’s Day: Unit Study from Orison Orchards, you will learn about the history of St. Patrick’s Day, explore Irish geography and geology, use a lens to refract light into a rainbow, graph your snack before you eat it, and share some literature together.
Plan a fun and engaging St. Patrick’s Day unit study for your preschoolers or kindergartners with these ideas and activities from Simple Living Mama.
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We’ve read a few of these and have a few of them checked out right now! Great list.