Happy St. Patricks's Day

Here are some good children's books for St.Patricks Day.

The Leprechaun's Gold by Pamela Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole, published by Scholastic, New York. This is a fun story with a surprise ending.

St. Patricks Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting, illustrations by Jan Brett, published by Scholastic, New York. This is a story about a little boy who wants to march in the parade!

Clever Tom and the Leprechaun by Linda Shute published by Scholastic, New York. This is a story that kids just love because of the trick the leprechaun plays on Tom. The last two pages of the book tells you the origins of the folklore about leprechauns.

Project to get the Creative Juices Flowing:

I did this for the children in my classroom for many years and it was always a special day that we all loved. Have your child think up a way to construct a trap for a leprechaun. Since you want to try to catch one to get their gold, the trap must be very creative!! Depending on their age, they can draw out a sketch first, write how they will make it, and then use items they find around the house ( a good way to promote recycling) to make their trap. It can be as simple as a cup, stick and string, or very elaborate. Deciding of the lure is very thought provoking. It should be complete and all set up in the best trapping spot by bedtime on March 16th Perhaps, on March 17th, when they wake up and go to see if they have been successful, they might find a leprechaun or a treat and a sprung trap. Some leprechauns even leave notes for the children. Regardless, of the differences in every household, the children just love it!