Are you looking for some Shamrock children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Shamrocks are a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Shamrock books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Shamrocks, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting
Rabbit is so excited to plant his own shamrocks for the St. Patrick’s Day parade that is coming up! But on the morning of the parade his pot of shamrocks is gone!!
Will he be able to find them on time? Will he make it to the St. Patrick’s Day parade? Enjoy reading this to find out what happens with Rabbit and his missing shamrocks!
Literacy Extensions:
- Shamrocks Literature List
- Classroom Booklet: “Shamrocks Are…”
- Shamrocks Counting
- My Shamrock Story: Student Worksheets
2. St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks by Mary Berendes
This book introduces the tiny green plants known as shamrocks. It explains the customs and origins of St. Patrick’s Day as well as how the shamrock became the national symbol of Ireland.
While trying to convert the Irish into Christians, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three leaves of a shamrock are also said to stand for faith, hope and love. A fourth leaf is where we get the luck from.
Literacy Extensions:
- “To Make a Shamrock” Classroom Book
- “Shamrocks Counting” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Shamrocks vs Hearts
- Shamrocks Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. A Shamrock for Charlie by Vicki Johnson
Poppy the Dog has watched her puppies grow up. Poppy wants each of her pups to explore traditions around the world. Poppy has a bag of magical charms. In each book Poppy gives one of the charms to a puppy. Once placed on their collar, the charm takes the pup to a family who is preparing for a special occasion.
In this book, Puppy Charlie is given a magical shamrock charm. It whisks him off to Ireland, where a welcoming family shows him how they prepare for Saint Patrick’s Day. As Charlie participates in their fun festivities, he begins to wonder what the shamrock charm means. Join the pup on his adventure to see if he finds out.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “I Would Be Lucky”
- Shamrocks Story Parts Worksheet
- Tissue Paper Shamrocks Art Project
- Shamrocks Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. The Secret Shamrock by Lisa M. Hendey
When Patrick has to work on his church’s cleaning team on a Saturday, he thinks his weekend fun is ruined. But when the old church bells start chiming, Patrick and his pet frog, Francis, are suddenly taken back through time to ancient Ireland.
Will the strange shepherd he meets be able to help him get home, or will Patrick be stuck taking care of sheep in the rain and mud forever? Kids will find Patrick refreshingly honest and likeable and will be cheering for him to make it back home.
Literacy Extensions:
- Shamrocks Literature List
- Shamrocks Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Shamrocks Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Shamrock Ink Art Project
5. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colander
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a twist on the classic song from the bestselling There Was an Old Lady series for kids! You’ll never guess what she’ll swallow next!
That lovely old lady has returned just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and now she’s come back to swallow a clover! Now she’s swallowing items to make the perfect rainbow to hide a pot of gold.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Shamrocks Are” Classroom Book
- Shamrocks Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Shamrocks Art Project
- Shamrocks Add & Subtract Match Game
6. S Is For Shamrock by Eve Bunting
Small in size (less than 400 by 200 miles) the country of Ireland holds a big place in world and human history. And many from around the globe proudly lay claim to ancestral ties there.
S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet gives readers a guided A-Z tour of this small island country whose influence extends far beyond its sea borders.
Famous landmarks such as the Blarney Stone and Finn McCool’s Giant Causeway speak to the land and history that shaped Ireland and its inhabitants. The prose and poetry of Eve Bunting, Irish native and children’s book author, bring the magic and mystery, character and culture of the Emerald Isle to vivid life.
Literacy Extensions:
- Shamrocks Word Bank
- Shamrocks Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Shamrocks Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Shamrocks Roll & Cover Math Games
7. The Adventures of Shamrock Sean by Brian Gogarty
Shamrock Sean is a lively leprechaun from the West of Ireland. He loves fishing and digging in his garden, but you won’t find the crock of gold there.
Most of all, this loveable leprechaun likes to lend a helping hand. But, no matter what he does, poor Sean always seems to land in BIG TROUBLE!
Three great Shamrock Sean adventures in one book: Shamrock Sean and the Wishing Well; Shamrock Sean and the Bird’s Nest; Shamrock Sean Goes Fishing.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Shamrocks Counting Book” Student Booklet
- Shamrocks Make a Short Vowel Word
- Shamrocks Sight Word Games
- Shamrocks Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. The Shamrock Rock by Agatha Show
This is the story of a plain grey rock who wished to be a shamrock for just one day. She waited and waited until a leprechaun came her way to grant her one wish.
This cute story with bouncy rhymes will entertain children of all ages about the holiday of Saint Patrick’s day.
Literacy Extensions:
- “To Make a Shamrock” Classroom Book
- Shamrocks Letter & Sound Match Game
- Shamrocks Build a Word
- Shamrocks Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Shamrock children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Shamrock books 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.”
