Are you looking for some St. Patrick’s Day children’s books to use in your classroom that includes literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful unit of study with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these children’s books already, but hopefully, some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Children love to learn about holidays and how they are celebrated. Try these vivid St. Patrick’s Day children’s books and some of the extension ideas suggested.
1. How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, this book takes you on the adventure of a naughty leprechaun with its wonderful rhyme. Will this be the year the children catch him and his pot of cold? Throughout the book, the leprechaun taunts the children as they put out traps around the house to catch him. Is he just too clever for them?
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: How to Catch a Leprechaun
- Pot of Gold Wishes Art Project
- Shamrocks & Rainbows Rhyming Word Match Game
- Shamrock Number Roll
2. 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. This rhyming book takes you to their celebration with music, dancing, and a parade! With lively illustrations from Ethan Long, this book is a delightful way to celebrate the day!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “I Would Be Lucky”
- How Many Shamrocks? Student Booklet
- My Lucky Day Student Story
- Patrick’s Day Roll & Cover Math Games
3. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing
This Irish children’s book puts a twist on a Christmas classic. It’s the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and Tim and Maureen are wide awake setting traps to catch a leprechaun!
When they wake the next morning to the sound of their dad playing the bagpipes and the smell of their mom cooking green eggs, they’re shocked to find that they’ve actually caught a leprechaun. But will they be able to find his pot of gold?
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
- Student Booklet: Patrick’s Day Senses
- Counting Shamrocks Math Game
- My Lucky Day Story: Student Worksheets
4. The Leprechauns 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 what about the clever and mischievous little leprechaun. What will he do?
Both the author and illustrator have created a joyful and fanciful tale with an important lesson to be learned.
Literacy Extensions:
- Patrick’s Day Literature List
- Patrick’s Day Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Patrick’s Day Roll I! Read It! Short Vowels
- Pot of Gold Art Project
5. Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Kathryn Heling
Fiddle-de-fizz, ’tis magic, it is! When leprechauns find each other.
This wonderful book counts 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!
Literacy Extensions:
- How Many Shamrocks? Student Booklet
- Patrick’s Day Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Patrick’s Day Art Project
- Patrick’s Day Number & Ten Frames
6. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
Set in an Irish-like countryside of about 200 years ago, Tomie dePaola retells an old story that appears in many cultures. Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm.
Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?
Literacy Extensions:
- Patrick’s Day Word Bank
- Patrick’s Day Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Patrick’s Day Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Patrick’s Day Roll & Cover Math Games
7. What is St. Patrick’s Day by Elain Landau
If you are interested in learning about the holiday of St. Patrick’s Day this book is for you.
How do people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Who was St. Patrick? Why do people wear green?
Learn all about this holiday in this easy-to-read book. This book also includes a hands-on activity, too!
Literacy Extensions:
- “What is St. Patrick’s Day?” Classroom Book
- Patrick’s Day Make a Short Vowel Word
- Patrick’s Day Sight Word Match Game
- Patrick’s Day Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting
A delightful, illustrated book from a Caldecott medalist with playful text written in a lilting Irish style.
The three leprechauns Ari, Boo, and Col have a job to do. They must race to where they’ve buried the pot of gold and dig it up before the rainbow comes. The clouds are already gathering, so there’ll be no time for mischief along the way.
But Mrs. Ballybunion’s cow, Miss Maud Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon find out that the three clever fellows can’t resist having a little fun on the road to Paddywhackers Bog. For, in addition to putting a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, mischief is what leprechauns do!
Literacy Extensions:
- Patrick’s Day Classroom Book
- Who is a Leprechaun? Student Worksheet
- Patrick’s Day Letter & Sound Match Game
- Patrick’s Day Counting Game
Finally, there are so many St. Patrick’s Day children’s books you can choose from. From the discovery of what the holiday means to the funny tales, the list is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
