Telling the tales of Ireland, Irish folklore and history, leprechauns and more, these hilarious and heartwarming St Patrick’s Day books for kids are a great way to spend some time together.
While Irish in origin, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated internationally every year on March 17th. These engaging St Patrick’s Day books are fun to read all year round too, and feature plenty of favourite and iconic characters like Mr Men and Little Miss, Pete the Cat, and Curious George… as well as no shortage of mischievous leprechauns!
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St Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
Baby’s First St Patrick’s Day
Baby’s First St Patrick’s Day by DK
From a St Patrick’s Day parade, a lucky shamrock, and a funny leprechaun to St Patrick’s Day costumes, an Irish dancing outfit, and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, this board book features all the familiar favourites associated with Ireland’s biggest and brightest celebration.
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The Luckiest St Patrick’s Day Ever
The Luckiest St Patrick’s Day Ever by Ted Slater
The St Patrick’s Day parade is off to a very fine start. The Leprechaun family is marching with lots of heart! Share in their dancing, share in their fun. You’ll have the luck of the Irish when this day is done!
The Night Before St Patrick’s Day
The Night Before St Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing
It’s the night before St Patrick’s Day, and Tim and Maureen are wide awake setting traps to catch a leprechaun! When they wake the next morning to the sound of their dad playing the bagpipes and the smell of their mum cooking green eggs, they’re shocked to find they’ve actually caught one. But will they be able to find his pot of gold?
Mr Mischief and the Leprechaun
Mr Mischief and the Leprechaun by Adam Hargreaves
In this Mr Men mash-up perfect for St Patrick’s Day, Mr Mischief gets a taste of his own medicine! Mr Mischief is known for playing tricks on everyone, so when tricks are played on him one morning, he wonders who’s responsible. Turns out it’s a leprechaun, and the pair decide to join forces to give the poor Mr Men and Little Misses a few surprises of their own!
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How to Catch a Leprechaun
How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
This #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller is perfect for St Patrick’s Day. You’ve been planning night and day, and finally you’ve created the perfect trap with shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows galore! Now all you need to do is wait. Is this the year you’ll finally catch the leprechaun? Start a St Patrick’s Day tradition with this fun and lively picture book, and get inspired to build a leprechaun trap of your own!
St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
Every year on March 17th, people all over the world celebrate St Patrick’s Day! In this bright picture book, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons tells you everything you need to know about the holiday — the story of Patrick’s life, legends about the saint, and the history behind the celebrations. Filled with facts, legends, and traditions, this book is ideal for kids learning about the holiday, Irish culture, and history.
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The Story of the Leprechaun
The Story of the Leprechaun by Sally Anne Lambert and Katherine Tegan
Ever wondered why leprechauns hide their pot of gold at the end of rainbows? The answer is revealed in this delightful and magical tale from bestselling team Katherine Tegen and Sally Anne Lambert.
Mr Men in Ireland
Mr Men in Ireland by Adam Hargreaves
The Mr Men are going on a fun-filled trip to the Emerald Isle! Mr Quiet has always spoken few words, but Mr Chatterbox decides to take him to kiss the Blarney Stone in the hope he’ll learn to chat more. Join the Mr Men and Little Miss as they visit the Titanic Experience, climb the Giant’s Causeway, go fishing in Galway, and enjoy the Kilkenny Arts Festival on their way to Blarney Castle. But will Mr Quiet be granted the gift of the gab when he kisses the famous stone?
How to Build a Leprechaun Trap
How to Build a Leprechaun Trap by Larissa Juliano
Catching leprechauns is no easy task — you’ll need more than just dandelion tea and four-leaf clovers! This interactive book provides all the STEAM tools needed to create delightful homemade crafts and traps at home or in the classroom. Full of shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows galore, this easy-to-follow activity book offers endless fun, precise calculations, proper engineering, and just the little bit of luck you’ll need to catch this wily creature. Can you be the first to catch a leprechaun?
The Itsy Bitsy Leprechaun
The Itsy Bitsy Leprechaun by Jeffrey Burton
A magical St Patrick’s Day twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” The itsy bitsy leprechaun is ready for a St Patrick’s Day adventure as he searches for a lucky four-leaf clover.
The itsy bitsy leprechaun was hiding pots of gold.
Down came a rainbow, colourful and bold,
Out came his friends and they all began to look,
For the perfect four-leaf clover hidden in this book!
Happy St Patrick’s Day Curious George
Happy St Patrick’s Day Curious George by H. A. Rey
Today is George’s lucky day — St Patrick’s Day is here! George loves a celebration, and St Patrick’s Day means plenty o’ music, dancing, and feasting fun. He dresses up in his festive finest, looks for leprechauns, and learns a few Irish dance steps. But can George make it to the parade without causing any trouble?
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That’s What Leprechauns Do
That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting
What do leprechauns do? They bury a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, of course. But as Mrs Bally Bunion’s ox, Miss Maude Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon find out, they can’t resist having a little fun along the way. Because besides burying pots of gold, mischief is what leprechauns do!
How to Trap a Leprechaun
How to Trap a Leprechaun by Sue Fliess and Emma Randall
On the night before St Patrick’s Day, leprechauns show up to steal your treasures and then disappear as quickly as they came. But if you’re careful, you might be able to catch one — and then he’ll grant you a wish. You’ll have to be sneaky and set just the right trap to trap a leprechaun.
Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk
Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk by Gerald McDermott
Tim O’Toole and his wife, Kathleen, are so poor they have not a penny or a potato between them. Even their cats are too skinny for the mice to chase! When Tim goes out to find a job, he stumbles upon “the wee folk” — a band of leprechauns who give him gifts to make his fortune. That is, if Tim can keep clear of the evil McGoon family…
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase by James Dean
Bestselling author and artist James Dean takes us on a St Patrick’s Day adventure with Pete the Cat, as Pete discovers how lucky he actually is. It’s St Patrick’s Day, and it’s also the grand opening of Pete the Cat’s leprechaun-catching business. Pete gears up to trap a leprechaun for his friends — but catching a leprechaun is never easy, especially if it’s Clover, who’s full of tricks. Will luck be on Pete’s side, or will Pete learn that luck is actually something earned? The book also comes complete with a poster, stickers, and twelve punch-out St Patrick’s Day cards.
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Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato: An Irish Folktale
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato: An Irish Folktale by Tomie de Paola
Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle? Illustrated in de Paola’s signature style, this is an engaging read-aloud choice for St Patrick’s Day.
O’Sullivan Stew: A Tale Cooked Up in Ireland
O’Sullivan Stew: A Tale Cooked Up in Ireland by Hudson Talbott
Someone has stolen the witch of Crookhaven’s horse, and there will be no peace in the village until it is returned. So bold, brassy Kate O’Sullivan takes matters into her own hands. But instead of saving the day, she manages to land herself — and her family — in trouble with the king. So Kate sets out to save their hides the only way she knows how: with a good story. Filled with imagination, wit, and a healthy helping of good old-fashioned Irish blarney, this is a hilarious tale that will keep readers coming back for more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these St Patrick’s Day books suitable for?
This list has something for a wide range of ages — sturdy board books like Baby’s First St Patrick’s Day work well for babies and toddlers, while picture books such as Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato and O’Sullivan Stew suit older preschoolers and early primary school children who enjoy a longer story.
Are these books only for St Patrick’s Day?
Not at all. While they’re perfect for building excitement in the run-up to March 17th, many of these titles — especially the Irish folktales and leprechaun stories — make lovely bedtime reads any time of year.
Where can I buy these books?
Each book title links through to more details and purchase options. Availability and stockists can change, so it’s worth checking your preferred bookshop or library for current stock.
What’s a good starting point if I only buy one or two books?
If you want a mix of fun and learning, pairing a playful leprechaun story like How to Catch a Leprechaun with an informative pick like Gail Gibbons’ St Patrick’s Day gives kids both the magic and the history behind the holiday.
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