No comments about The Luck of the Irish (Ready-to-Read).

2 comments about The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh.

1. A very sweet story with a lovely message about traditions and remembering your heritage even as changes through the generations blur the past. Well written in a style that respects both the subject and the readers, and lovely illustrations as well. Hope to see more from this author!



2. Excellent story that is beautifully written and illustrated. It captures an important part of our heritage while emphasizing the importance of family tradition and roots. My 8 year old just loved it and I can see my self reading this to her over and over again. The story teaches U.S. history on one level and family sharing on another. The illustrations are beautiful. I strongly recommend this book.

No comments about Fluffy's Lucky Day (level 3) (Hello Reader).

1 comments about The Story of Saint Patrick's Day.

1. We have several of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all, until now. The Story of St. Patrick is choppy and does not give a final thought about God's love. I highly recommend The Story of ... Jesus, Noah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, but the St. Patrick's day book is more of a novelty.

2 comments about Hooray for St. Patrick's Day! (Lift-the-Flap, Puffin).

1. My children ages 6 and 3 really enjoyed this book. they really got a kick out of the flaps that you lift up and see whats under it.



2. Daughter enjoys finding the hidden leprechauns on each page and lifting flaps. Wished story was a little longer.

No comments about Happy St. Patrick's Day (Holiday Fun).

No comments about It's St. Patrick's Day, Dear Dragon (Beginning-to-Read; Dear Dragon).

4 comments about St. Patrick's Day.

1. This book gives a thorough, yet simple explanation about St. Patrick's Day. Each page has beautiful illustrations and one to three sentences. It gives a simple 2 page intro, then spends 7 pages about who Saint Patrick was, then 14 pages of all the ways people celebrate/symbols (church, leprechauns, shillelagh, harp, cards, sweets, flowers, plays, meal, parties, and parardes), then two pages on celebrating it in the US, and then 3 pages of legends about Saint Patrick. A great introduction for young children.



2. This is a beautifully illustrated, well written, story about the life of St. Patrick and descriptions of how and why we celebrate this holiday. My daughter is very interested in her Irish heritage and read it to her Kindergarten class this year. It was a hit!



3. I'm always a five star kind of reviewer, figuring if it wasn't great why say anything. Actually that applies to how I approach people and situations too. Except it can get to a point where...it's not fair to me. I have a right now and again to notice and speak to situations as they are... This has to be written up review-wise as something that just went stale. And I'd much rather pretend otherwise. Basic honesty however precludes delusions.
   
   Today I read this to my 1st graders watching them for reaction and it's just not there. This was nothing more than beautiful green illustrations and a few facts. I am sorry but I lost 'em. And lately that's hard to do, they love stories. Go get Tomie De Poala, really. Not to be mean, I love other Gail Gibbons, but I think pages that say some people wear green or have parties is scraping for material. Yeah, we knew that, thanks. Wow, green huh? Why not teach twenty Irish expressions, or show some native dress, or discuss the crafts of Ireland, or the cities or perhaps get some facts on major contributions of the Isle to our fair land, or discuss the potato famine, or even tell about St. Patty parades. But maybe I'm being a bit picky. But still. Some "decorate with shamrocks". Okay even moon people know this. My second language kids were rolling upside down in sheer boredom. Not even recounting specifics about what foods....Irish foods? Why not list some and put in a nice soda bread recipe or corned beef recipe. Come on if we are going to try it let's get inspired. Rip out some content. Sheer a sheep if you have too. Speaking of which I really recommend Charlie's Cloak, De Poala. What a winner.
   
   Teachers can get stuck in those content poor zones now and again, disappointed with this or that, maybe it's all in striving for excellence.. Or maybe my grumpy-ness...maybe it's getting the third wave of fevers having been terribly ill this month or the news of the passing of a loved one...ah well for whatever reason the cover is actually delightful and certainly the pictures sound, the text slimmer. My biggest dread in U Pick It Read Aloud Time is the students asking to go get drinks. Today was a record, they all went.It's not easy to put together a solid holiday book. This one fell flat today leaving me hanging there like a limp rag.Albeit a wet one.I really think it's one I'll put in the home book bags.Sorry.



4. Most or many of the stories like his banishing all of the snakes from Ireland are false. They are the evidence of exaggerated storytelling. Actually he was born in Britain in the fourth century. He was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders and transported to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. He was guided by visions to become a missionary to convert the Irish to Christianity.
   
   Actually, his family were not deeply religious, but most Irish practiced a pagan religion. This was changed due to the activities and beliefs of this saint. Spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of Irish life. I always thought that my mother, Lettie Lane, was Irish. After seeing the PBS special, I am sure of it, though she did not have the lilting dialect, coming from the mountains of Union County. She died when I was seven. Alec was born on March 17. His brother Eric is a 711 child. It is thought that St. Patrick died on this date.

1 comments about Shamrocks, Harps, and Shillelaghs: The Story of the St. Patrick's Day Symbols.

1. What a wonderful book for adults and children alike. I found this book to be a terrific help in understanding some of the legends and history of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. It was also invaluable in explaining these to my younger children, both at home and in Sunday School classes.

   Both the writing and the illustrations work to offer a better understanding of Irish traditions. All in all, not only an educational read, but a pleasant one, too!

1 comments about Lets Celebrate St Patricks Day.

1. An excellent book for parents or grandparents to share with children. Fun and informative even for adults.