That's What Leprechauns Do

From School Library Journal Grade 1-3–As storm clouds gather ominously in the Irish sky, three diminutive leprechauns rouse themselves to dig up their pot of gold and place it at the end of the coming rainbow. Ari hurries Col and Boo along the country road, intent on accomplishing their task, but the friends cant resist stopping to pull some mischievous pranks along the way, because thats what leprechauns do. They paint the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunions cow bright scarlet, tie Old Jamie Bradleys drying long johns into a knot, and plant a yellow tennis ball in the nest of Miss Maudie Murphys hen. At last, as the raindrops begin to fall, the playful tricksters reach Padddywhackers Bog, dig up their treasure, and set it in place. As the rainbow arches across the sky to touch the pot of gold, the trio settles down to wait, but nobody finds the gold, as usual. Ari cheers up his disgruntled pals, saying That golds waiting for just the right person. McCully graces this lighthearted story with her characteristically expressive and charming watercolors that eloquently capture the verdant beauty of the Irish countryside and the irrepressible personalities of the elves. An explanatory note about leprechauns is appended. A perfect choice for March story hours, this title can also be enjoyed all year long. –Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist PreS-Gr. 2. As a storm subsides, three leprechauns prepare to go to work. Their job? Placing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There's "no time for mischief along the way," warns one of the wee fellows, but they can't help themselves from carrying out a few pranks as "mischief's what leprechauns do." So, by the time the group reaches its destination, Mrs. Ballybunion's cow's hooves are painted a lovely scarlet, old Jamie Bradley's woolen long johns are tied into knots, and a chicken appears to have laid a tennis ball. Bunting's lively telling combines slapstick humor, suspense (will the distracted leprechauns miss the rainbow?), and magical possibilities ("That gold's waiting for just the right person"). The lovely ink-and-watercolor pictures extend the humor, whimsy, and magic in scenes that contrast the expansive, emerald-green Irish fields with close-ups of the twinkly-eyed, buckle-shoed trio. A great read-aloud, this will strike a chord with children who, like the leprechauns, can't resist a little mischievous fun. Gillian Engberg Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "A good introduction to [Saint Patrick's Day's] wee fairy symbols. Caldecott-winner McCully's sprightly watercolors bring...story to life." — Kirkus Reviews "Bunting offers a kicky...outing here, bringing a dash of modern silliness to her twist on familiar lore." — Publishers Weekly "A great read-aloud, this will strike a chord with children who...can't resist a little mischievous fun." — Booklist "Charming watercolors...A perfect choice for March story hours, this title can also be enjoyed all year long." — School Library Journal "Lively ink and watercolor illustrations energize the playful story." — Horn Book Magazine Eve Bunting has writtenxa0over two hundredxa0books for children, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall , Fly Away Home , and Train to Somewhere . She lives in Southern California. Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecottxa0Medal for Mirette on the High Wire . The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she has a lifelong interest in history and feminist issues. She divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City. Read more