The Leprechaun's Gold

by Pamela Duncan Edwards, Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Based on a classic Irish folktale, this is the perfect picture book to share on St. Patrick’s Day. 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 he doesn't reckon with the clever trickery of a mischievous little leprechaun. Celebrated picture book creators Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole have imagined a joyful and fanciful tale with a priceless lesson.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Ireland, Childrens, Fantasy, Folk Tales, Fiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Pamela Duncan Edwards is a British-born children's author living in the United States. She has written over forty picture books published in both the U.S. and the U.K., known for their playful language and engaging storytelling.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Tom’s courage and kindness are challenged by a younger up-and-coming arrogant musician. Who will win the Royal Palace contest for best musician?

And will everyone play fair?

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about a kind-hearted old man and the selfish, upstart young man both of whom are traveling to the castle to compete in the harp competition. As we might expect, the old man is rewarded for his kindness in helping a leprechaun while the young man has bad luck for ignoring the leprechaun and sabotaging the old man. It's nothing outstanding but still a pleasant story and better than some of the leprechaun-themed ones I've read.

[Maddy Gebhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Leprechaun's Gold" by: Pamela Duncan Edwards is an Irish legend which tells the tale of two well known harpists in Ireland. One of the harpists, Old Pat, is a very experienced and good at playing the harp, but doesn't have a lot of money. The other, Tom, is younger than Pat, but he believes he is better at playing the harp. Both Pat and Tom decide to audition in a harping contest hosted by the King. The night before the audition, Tom snapped a string on Pat's harp, so that he wouldn't be able to preform in the contest. That same night, however, a leprechaun approaches Tom and Pat and needs help because a rabbit is holding his foot. Old Pat helps the leprechaun and, in turn, the leprechaun fixes Pat's harp and breaks the strings on Tom's harp. The next day, when Tom starts playing the harp in the contest, he realizes his strings are broken. Pat then has a turn to play and he ends up winning the contest.

This Irish legend embodies an important theme regarding misbehaving and the possible consequences which can occur because of poor choices that are made. Even though this book involves magical creatures such as leprechauns, it still portrays an important lesson for children to understand. I think successfully written fairytales and legends have to be mystical, but somewhat realistic at the same tine. This legend is one in which I would use in my classroom in the future because I think it would be a good way to introduce students to folk and fairy tales because it's not completely unrealistic.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging tale that shows strength of character is more to be had than riches.

Colorful illustrations and hidden four-leaf clovers hidden throughout the book make this a fun one for the kids!

Ages: 3 - 8

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wins in the end!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Leprechaun's Gold by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole is the story of a musical duel where kindness beats cunning, with an assist from a leprechaun.

Cole's illustrations feature lots of green along with blue, gold and brown. My favorite images are Pat hiking to the palace past sheep, and discovering the gold harp.

The morals of being kind, and that selfishness and scheming may be punished, are humorously told. This is a pleasant tale with leprechaun magic. Pat is akindly main character to root for. Hunting for the 16 four-leaf clovers pictured will involve some readers. I enjoyed the mostly realistic portrayal of people, birds and sheep. I found the more cartoonish portrayal of the leprechauns and the rabbit to be too much of a contrast. I still give this 3.5 stars.

For ages 4 to 7, multicultural, Ireland, leprechauns, honesty, greed, kindness, cunning, and fans of Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole.

[Set · Rating 1 out of 5]

Old Pat is humble and plays his harp for free but young Tom is greedy and arrogant and plays his harp just as well but for monetary gain. The story was a bit communistic, it teaches that you should give your art for free without charge whatsoever. By this logic, modern people do not patronize the arts and the artists starves, ergo, no one wants to become an artist and art slowly dies.

It's not really a lesson that you want to teach your children, to learn a trade, give and expect it to be given for free. The drawings are nice though.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teaches you to practice your trade for free, undermining the arts.

[Allie Knerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Leprechaun's Gold, is about an old man and his way of living and sharing his music verses the way a young man wants to share his music. The old man want to play for free he does not need to be rich in money he would rather be rich in friends, where the young man dose not understand why the old man won't play for money. The young man gets greedy with wanting to be the best so he can become rich which is when his harp strings break and he can no longer play the harp in the contest. The underlying message in this story is to share your gifts with the world because you enjoy your talent not because you want to make money. This story also tells old Irish legends like how leprechauns treat travelers they find in the woods, and an old legends about two harpist. This book would be a good book to read aloud around St. Patricks day, so students can learn more about the Irish culture and why the Irish celebrate St. Patricks day. The teacher could assign an art project with the book where students could create their own leprechaun.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right away, Pamela Duncan Edwards sets the tone of a fairy tale and starts to convey a sense of place, that small village in Ireland. And this village (and tale) comes with its own villain, too; materialistic "Young Tom." Okaaaay, here we go, with special adventure sure to follow.

The story developed beautifully. Especially, I loved this sentence: "Old Pat's kindness of heart proved stronger than his fear of leprechaun tricks." Such wisdom is here, and it thrills me to encounter such an uplifting message included in a picture book.

Oh, there was also a beautiful ending to this tale, with music that "filled the people's hearts with joy and their lips with laughter." (Regarding specific details, no spoiler from me, no no!)

IN CONCLUSION

Pamela Duncan Edwards is an extraordinarily prolific and successful writer of children's books. Yet I have trouble recognizing her work - her voice - her intent - from one book to the next. I wish all of her books were as meaningful as this one. Such an inspiration!

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Pat is the finest harpist in all of Ireland. He once taught Young Tom how to play and now Tom haughtily thought HIMSELF to be the best harpist in all of Ireland. Then one day a sign was posted up on a wall that called all harpists to the King's royal palace to compete for the prize of being the finest harpist in all of Ireland! (I said that thrice and feel like it's too much 😜) Tom and Pat set off together towards the palace. Then Tom secretly breaks one of Pat's harp strings. He is so sad because he can't afford to buy a new one. That night, they hear a cry of help. Tom, selfish as he is, will not go and see who is in need. Pat, on the other hand, went immediately to see what had happened. It turns out that a leprechaun needed help! What will happen next? I just realized that that was a very chaotic summary and I assure you that the story is much more clear. The illustrations are beautiful! This is definitely one of my favorite books of the St. Patrick's Day season, and it's sure to make you smile! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for more fun book recommendations!

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6yo: It was a good story. It taught us to always be kind and never steal other people's things and break them.

Mom: I almost skipped this one as I expected it to be a frivolous story of luck, rainbows, and a pot of gold. It turned out to be the story of a young man who learned the consequences of disrespect, and an old man who is blessed for his kindness and generosity. The illustrations are lovely.

#passportaroundtheworld #ireland

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to teach a helpful and humble heart vs. greedy and all-for-myself attitude, and ultimately which one “pays” more. And a good glimpse into the Irish lore of leprechauns. It also has hidden four-leaf clovers through out the book to find, which the boys really enjoyed looking for.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An acceptable read aloud for St. Paddy's Day - for K and 1st graders, who like the part about the leprechaun and rabbit the best. I have to admit, it's probably because I do really good rabbit and leprechaun voices ;)

[Kary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good choice for St. Patrick's Day. It has a good message too - honesty and kindness pay off.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story highlighting the fact that you get what you deserve.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two harpists compete A nice story about being humble versus greedy. It would make a good read around St. Patrick's Day.

[Hava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read for your primary aged kids. There's a challenge at the end of the book to find all the 4 leaf clovers that pulls the kids into reviewing the pages

[Chappyfamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are rewarded for being humble and kind

[Leeshepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun story that my students loved!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story for St. Patrick's Day storytime. :)

[Cala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Irish folktale with a good moral presented in a picture book format with excellent illustrations.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good St. Patrick’s Day read aloud for second-fourth. It has a good message and storyline.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this story in which one kindness is traded for another, and a person with low character gets what he deserves.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly lovely story.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two harpists go to a contest to determine who will be the finest harpist in all of Ireland. One helps a leprechaun out of a spot, who returns the favor by helping him win.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit wordy for how simple the story and how obvious the theme? Still, I did enjoy reading it, and I thank openlibrary for archiving a copy.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greed, envy, magic, and good deeds are explored in this Irish folktale of two harpist who enter the King's contest to determine the best harpist in all of Ireland.

[Rhylee Turnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun even have 4 leave clovers to find!!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for St. Patrick's Day. We enjoyed it