St. Patrick Childrens Books
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This book tells the story of a slave boy, kidnapped from his home in Britain, who becomes one of the great heroes of the church. Through lively narrative and charming illustrations, children will learn about one of our most beloved saints. Ages 4 and up.
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Grade 2-4-The story of St. Patrick is told, with legend and fact delineated. The significance of the color green is explained, as is that of shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, and pots of gold. Parades, festivals, athletic events, and special foods are all discussed. The text is clear and engaging, and the attractive color photos, reproductions, and drawings add interest and detail. The simple craft project seems a bit young for the audience. Gail Gibbons's St. Patrick's Day (Holiday, 1994) is for younger children. Landau's book is a more-than-satisfactory addition to holiday collections.
Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Those pesky Irish snakes! Patrick (pre-sainthood) could ignore their naughty behavior for a while, but when they start teasing his poor old dog Finbar, well, that is just the last straw. It is clearly time to haul out his magic bell and rid the land of this pestilence! But before Patrick can rest too heavily on his laurels, he discovers that the biggest, oldest, sneakiest snake in all of Ireland has resisted his magic and is now bound and determined to make his life miserable. Whenever Patrick's back is turned, the sly serpent steals swigs from his mug of buttermilk, peeks in the window while he is entertaining friends, or hides under his quilt at night. Patrick's attempts to outsmart and outrun his sinuous enemy through all of Ireland and Scotland culminate in a surprising, indeed extraordinary, turn of events.
Sheila MacGill-Callahan's lively, lilting version of the well-known story of Saint Patrick (combined cleverly with another familiar tale) is a fantastic introduction to Irish and Scottish legend. Will Hillenbrand's gorgeous mixed-media paintings invite the reader to slither gleefully along on this battle of wills. (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie Coulter
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Kindergarten-Grade 3-Fergus and his family immigrate to the U.S. during the potato famine. On his last night home, the boy cuts a branch from his favorite blackthorn tree in order to "take a piece of Ireland with him on his journey across the ocean." During the voyage, he whittles this branch into a shillelagh, and on each St. Patrick's Day, he recounts his family's journey from their homeland to America. After many years, he passes the shillelagh and its story on to his son Declan, who in turn passes it on to his son, Emmet. The heirloom makes its way to succeeding generations until Ryan puts it in a closet when he moves to a new house. Years later, his daughter discovers it and, at her father's urging, takes it to her Grandpa Garrett in order to learn its history. He passes the object on to her, saying, "A good story never has to end as long as someone remembers to keep telling it." Though not as spare and poetic as Patricia Polacco's The Keeping Quilt (S & S, 1988), this account provides just enough historical context for each generation to be interesting. Stahl's realistic, acrylic illustrations adeptly convey the passage of time for this engaging family. A nice introduction to Irish immigration and the concepts of family traditions and heritage.
Piper L. Nyman, Fairfield/Suisun Community Library, Fairfield, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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K-Gr. 2. A bright, clear full-page photo on the left-hand page of every double-page spread adds verve to these small, square books in the new Holidays and Celebrations series. Schuh's explanatory texts are clear, simply written, and concise; Passover is slightly longer than St. Patrick's Day, with 152 words. Each book presents a bit of history, fixes the holiday in the calendar, and introduces some symbol or a tradition associated with the celebration. St. Patrick's Day falls a bit short on the history, concentrating more on symbols and celebrations; Passover is a little better, but both books would have benefited from more about the holiday's origins and development. Each book concludes with a glossary; a short, helpful list of age-appropriate resources; and a combined index and word list. Informative, undemanding books to start youngsters off. REVWR
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