3 enjoyable, colorful Leprechaun Story Books from Albert Whitman & Company Publishers for elementary level children celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday. My maternal great-grandparents were all from Ireland and my son-in-law and oldest granddaughter are blessed with auburn hair, green eyes, and freckles – truly Irish. On St. Patrick’s Day, we make Poppy an honorary Irishman and to celebrate our heritage, we enjoy an Irish dinner including authentic Irish Potato Soup, listen to Irish music, and read exciting Leprechaun Story Books to our grandchildren.

Leprechaun Story Books

The following Leprechaun Story Books, plus many other popular children’s books, can be found at Albert Whitman & Company:

Leprechaun Story Book #1

The Curse of Rafferty McGill by Dianne M. McMillan
Ages 7 – 10, Grades 2 – 5

Plot Summary: On St. Patrick’s Day, Ryan says out loud, “I wish I didn’t have stupid piano lessons.” Someone answers, “Saints be praised. ‘Tis done.” In an instant, his piano teacher’s house—along with his teacher Miss Talbot, and his classmate, Angela—are gone! Rafferty McGill, a small, strange man in a green vest, pants, and felt hat, says he is responsible. Ryan can’t believe his eyes or his ears: the strange little man claims he is a leprechaun! And now that he has granted Ryan’s wish, Ryan must grant Rafferty’s wish for a pair of shoes. It all has something to do with an ancient curse!

Readers will laugh out loud at Rafferty McGill’s antics and share in Ryan’s frustration as he tries to sort out this St. Patrick’s Day mess. Can Ryan bring back Miss Talbot and Angela? If he doesn’t, he may be stuck with one unhappy leprechaun—for life!

Children’s Literature Review: “This is a fun fantasy read for a holiday with limited chapter books celebrating it and should be a hit with those looking for a quick and playful read.”

Leprechaun Story Book #2

The Leprechaun in the Basement by Kathy Tucker
Ages 5 – 8, Grades K – 3

Plot Summary: It’s St. Patrick’s Day, but Michael McKeever doesn’t feel like celebrating. His baseball shoes are falling apart, and the season is about to begin. Yet how can he ask his folks for new ones? His dad is out of work, and everyone in the family must Make Do. But Michael is about to get the surprise of his life. As he heads into the basement on an errand, he hears someone singing—it’s a leprechaun, complete with pot of gold!

School Library Journal Review: “A matter-of-fact tone and contemporary details make this a picture book that can be read throughout the year, but it’s likely to be especially popular around St. Patrick’s Day.”

Leprechaun Story Book #3

Shannon and the World’s Tallest Leprechaun by Sean Callahan
Ages 7 – 9, Grades 2 – 4

Plot Summary: Shannon is a stepdancer with a broken shoe. How can she ever win the Saint Patrick’s Day stepdancing contest? Enter Liam, the world’s tallest leprechaun. A leprechaun grants wishes, right? But Liam not only doesn’t look like a leprechaun, he grants wishes in his own unusual way.

Sean Callahan’s tale taps to a lively finish; artist Kathleen Kemly’s perfect pastels add to the happiness. The author also wrote The Bear Hug.

For a leprechaun, is it all about the shoes…I wonder…Happy St. Patrick’s Day!