Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
13th out of 37 books
—
6 voters
Fiona's Luck
by
Teresa Bateman,
Kelly Murphy (Goodreads Author)
A greedy leprechaun king gets his comeuppance at the hands of a clever lass in this plucky Irish folk tale." -Publishers Weekly. "Children will delight in the cunning way that Fiona triumphs over the leprechaun king, as well as in the rhythmic language of this well-told tale." - Kirkus Reviews
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
February 1st 2007
by Charlesbridge Publishing
(first published January 1st 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
252)
I thought this was a cute story, all the way around--an adorable, endearing beginning (luck hangs in the air and sticks to the wee folk of Ireland until the "big folk" come and so much clings to them the leprechaun king gets jealous and decides to hoard the luck in his box) to the witty heroine trying to get luck back to her people (gotta love a smart heroine!) and fun, spunky-cute pictures throughout. Nothing amazing here by any means, but it's a fun and engaging tale.
(Thanks, Abigail, for brin...more
(Thanks, Abigail, for brin...more
Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Kelly Murphy is the tale of a clever woman who outsmarts a greedy leprechaun king to recover luck for the Irish.
Murphy's illustrations are done in acrylic, watercolor and gel medium on coventry rag. Gold, blue, emerald green, brown and gray predominate with light and darkness used at the approriate points in the story. My favorite images include the cover, luck swept up, Fiona surrounded, Fiona in cavern, and her wish.
This tale features rhythmic lan...more
Murphy's illustrations are done in acrylic, watercolor and gel medium on coventry rag. Gold, blue, emerald green, brown and gray predominate with light and darkness used at the approriate points in the story. My favorite images include the cover, luck swept up, Fiona surrounded, Fiona in cavern, and her wish.
This tale features rhythmic lan...more
Lovely book, this one. Bateman's prose and Kelly Murphy's gorgeous paintings captured not only my my 6 year-old's imagination, but my own. Little details make this book stand out, like the illuminating glow of stars and the essence of luck, or the textured wall in the leprechaun king's throne room, where the Irish luck he'd stolen was hidden in a chest. The Irish love a battle of wits. This enchanting tale revolves around the premise that no matter the verbal trickery of the leprechaun, he can't...more
Let me first start with the artwork in this book. Chills, that's what it does. Gives me a good case of the shivers, it's just that moving. (Gotta love the use of color, too - compare brown, dark, drab luckless Ireland with green, growing, lucky Ireland!)
The story is compelling, and has a few good vocabulary words in it, but not so much that you think the author was throwing them in for the heck of it.
And the moral of the story, that we have to make our own luck, is well-presented.
I will note tha...more
The story is compelling, and has a few good vocabulary words in it, but not so much that you think the author was throwing them in for the heck of it.
And the moral of the story, that we have to make our own luck, is well-presented.
I will note tha...more
I snagged this up from the library display for Irish stories in celebration for St. Patrick's Day and found myself a bit tongue tied on the first page but as the story progressed, found myself wondering how it would turn out. The ending was not what I'd expected but was well enough in the same direction. I like that she used a bit of history in the story that could lead to further discussion after the story.
My three kids were not as happy with this story as Teresa's Ring of Truth, but I'd still...more
My three kids were not as happy with this story as Teresa's Ring of Truth, but I'd still...more
I have way too many picture books at home to read, in addition to a few novels, so if I get to them at all I won’t be writing reviews for all of them, or much of a review. (So, there will be quite a few star ratings only from me in the near future.)
However, I liked this book a lot so I want to write a wee bit about it:
I loved the story of Fiona, a clever girl, who outsmarts a leprechaun king. It’s an engaging original folk/fairy tale. I enjoyed the illustrations too, especially those of Fiona’s...more
However, I liked this book a lot so I want to write a wee bit about it:
I loved the story of Fiona, a clever girl, who outsmarts a leprechaun king. It’s an engaging original folk/fairy tale. I enjoyed the illustrations too, especially those of Fiona’s...more
Fiona's Luck pointed out that luck isn't always just luck but using your brain and wit to help you gain luck is the best way to go. The story takes place in Ireland and tells the story of why Ireland is still lucky today and what Fiona did to the leprechauns to provide luck to the rest of the country. The lesson that a child may get from this story is that you shouldn't take things from people, especially if those things make other people happy. And if this does happen, it will always come back...more
Luck used to be free and plentiful in Ireland to anyone until the big folk arrived and soaked it all up. The king of the leprechauns ordered what luck was laft to be locked in an oak chest. He would distribute it when he chose to do so. Everyone thought Fiona had such great luck. She went to the king to request some luck. He believed she didn't need any, but agreed to put her through three tests to prove himself right. If she really had no luck, then she'd be granted a wish. I liked this story a...more
Mar 17, 2011
Patricia (Patricia's Particularity)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children-books,
wishlist
While Fiona’s Luck is reminiscent of many folktales it is overall about being clever, witty, and about using one’s own brain. Once upon a time, luck made by leprechauns was free for everyone in Ireland to use. However, the leprechaun king ordered all the leprechauns to gather up all the luck that he felt the humans were using too much of. Soon all the humans in Ireland are left without any luck – potatoes no longer grow, milk is no longer produced, and everyone becomes unhappy. Then a girl named...more
Mar 27, 2012
Meribeth
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
read aloud to third graders
Shelves:
picture-books
This book can easily appeal to both boys and girls especially if you introduce it as part of a St Patrick's day celebration and you have chess players in your audience AND you ask the students to listen for who Fiona outwits and how she does it. Written in a folk tale style, the whimsical illustrations are so well aligned with the mischievous text to engage readers and listeners that the clever story feels playful despite the potato famine it describes.
I've got to hand it to Bateman and Murphy; I never thought I'd come out of a book about the Irish potato famine feeling inspired. But that's exactly what happened when I finished Fiona's Luck. As soon as I closed the book, I flipped it over to smile at the plucky heroine on the cover.
Reading a bit like the Irish equivalent of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, this book provides a (fictional) explanation for the devastating famine that gripped mid-nineteenth century Ireland, while also offering...more
Reading a bit like the Irish equivalent of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, this book provides a (fictional) explanation for the devastating famine that gripped mid-nineteenth century Ireland, while also offering...more
Exuding the spirit of the best of folk tales, Teresa Bateman's, titular character wields her homespun wit against a greedy leprechaun. The illustrations convey the rustic simplicity of older times and finds clever ways to express intangible qualities. With luck this story should last through the ages.
My daughter was given this book by our cousin from Ireland - very sweet book and a great child-like spin on the Potato famine in Ireland. This is another book that is read weekly in our house (and not just because we are Irish - lol). The write has a very whimsical way of writing and great imagination!
This has a folktale feel as it describes how the luck of the Irish came to be. It's all thanks to Fiona, who outwitted the leprechaun king. I liked the illustrations better than the story, but it's a solid tale. (Note to self: it's on Tumblebooks too?)
This was a beautifully illustrated fable about Irish folklore. I loved the pictures, they made me linger with each page soaking in the details. I also really liked this story of cleverness and leprechauns. Great read for St Pat's Day!
Clever tale of a clever young lady. Illustrations hit the right note of low-key humor.
Good for display on St. Patrick's day as well as a fine picture book with a strong girl as the main character.
Good for display on St. Patrick's day as well as a fine picture book with a strong girl as the main character.
What an adorable Irish tale. I always love when fantasy uses elements of real history. This is a cute tale with a good lesson. I enjoyed it greatly and look forward to reading it to my son soon.
Oct 02, 2009
Relyn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teachers, children, parents
Recommended to Relyn by:
spotted at Barnes
I love this book. The illustrations caught my eye, but the story was terrific, too. I love a woman who uses her wits. I bought it for my class for St. Patrick's Day. It was a hit.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
PICTURE BOOK
Beautiful Irish story and illustrations! Story about an Irish girl who outwits a Leprecaun king and restores luck to the people of Ireland.
Beautiful Irish story and illustrations! Story about an Irish girl who outwits a Leprecaun king and restores luck to the people of Ireland.
We get this book out of the library every few months, we love it. Clever Fiona tricks the leprechaun king and wins back the luck.
Can't really go wrong with a book about leprechauns can you? Cute story with good illustrations.
Just how lucky are the Irish? On the heels of the potato famine this story brings together leprechauns, humans, and the leprechaun King. The King of the leprechauns gets angry at the humans for using up all of the luck. So he decides to take it all away. Hard times for the Irish people ensue. It is up to Fiona to outsmart the King and get the Irish luck back for Ireland.
This story has a very folk story feel to it. I also think it may be a bit confusing to young readers. Perhaps intermediate aged...more
This story has a very folk story feel to it. I also think it may be a bit confusing to young readers. Perhaps intermediate aged...more
Mommy says: You'll love how this smart girl handles the selfish Leprechaun King.
girl outwits the Leprechaun king to get all the luck back. cute pictures, short story.
Our oldest watched this book on Tumblebooks at her school and she insisted that we watch it, too. It's a fascinating story about a clever young woman who helps to bring back the luck to Ireland. Her cunning way of defeating the leprechaun king at his own devious game is quite entertaining and the illustrations are wonderful. We liked listening to the Irish brogue on the narrator (much, much better than I could've done) and watching the pseudo-animation of the illustrated pages on Tumblebooks.
A clever Irish tale with great illustrations! Read at our family preschool.
Beautiful illustrations, cute fairy/folk-tale like story.
Clever story with a little bit of magic.
This is a book about magic and leprechauns.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Teresa Bateman was born in Moscow, Idaho, but moved to Washington State when she was three-years-old and that's where she has lived most of her life.
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In high school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She...more
More about Teresa Bateman...
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In high school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
updated Mar 04, 2010 07:53am
Mar 04, 2010 11:16am