Leprechaun Tales

by Yvonne Carroll, Jacqueline East (Illustrator)

Tradition has it that leprechauns are mischievous little people, often cobblers, who have pots of gold hidden away. The humans are always keen to find the gold but somehow are always outwitted by the leprechauns' cunning and magical powers. This selection of charming tales about leprechauns and other little people has been passed down over the years from one generation to another. Yvonne Carroll's brilliant retelling of each story brings them alive for a new generation of readers.

Genres: Ireland, Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Paul Dilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in Dublin the last time we were there, and have been reading it to my daughter recently to get her excited for a return in early July. My son is interested in the stories too. There are five, low-key tales, not particularly scary, but mildly threatening, involving younger people not heeding the warnings of their grandparents to avoid leprechauns (also called "the fairy people" and "little men"). Drama ensued last night while discussing the plot of one, which my son particularly enjoys: an older sister and younger brother get out of bed one night and follow strange music to a clearing in the woods, where they observe leprechauns dancing. The little boy remembers to close his eyes, but his sister doesn't, and goes missing. 20 years later, when he returns to the same spot, his sister reappears, but without having aged at all! When I observed that my son probably likes this because it involves the fantasy of switching ages - little brother becomes big brother - my daughter got very upset and is now worried that this will happen to her in Ireland!

[Tristan Tuttle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was jubis rating. She did not appreciate the fairies wrecking someones house lol

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tellings have no grace; the illustrations do not enchant. I don't know why so many picture-books about leprechauns are so cartoony. Or, for that matter, why there are so many at all.

[Rik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned to pronounce several old Irish words.