One of my favorite ways of decompressing from the week is to visit the bookstore. A recent finding is The Leprechaun’s Gold, which I’m sure we’ll enjoy for years to come.

Two harpists set off for the Royal Palace where the king’s to decide the finest harpist in all of Ireland. Along the way it occurs to Young Tom that the older gentleman might win the contest, so he breaks a string on his harp to ensure the outcome of the contest. Later that night, the two men hear a cry for help. Scared, and cowardly, Young Tom runs off, while Old Pat offers assistance to a leprechaun who’s stuck in a log. Since Pat comes to his aid, the fairy man offers payment for Pat’s goodwill. The old man refuses the gold insisting it was an act of kindness. In the end, the leprechaun finds a way to repay Old Pat, and teaches Young Tom a lesson in humility.

There’s so much to like about this book I’m not sure where to begin. First off the author/illustrator team of Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole is well known for their many popular collaborations including, Some Smug Slug, and Clara Caterpillar. The Leprechaun’s Gold easily upholds their fine reputation. Edwards’s writing is so fluid it flows off the tongue.

“Long ago, before even your great-great-grandfather was born, there lived in a small village in Ireland a man known to all as Old Pat. Old Pat was a harpist, and a good one at that. Many a wedding was made the merrier by Old Pat’s harp.”

The text doesn’t rhyme, but there is a lilt as the words spill from page to page. I find this work effortless to read aloud, which is not always easy for me. This is not a short book. It takes about 7 or 8 minutes to read aloud, but the story is appealing and actually humorous in areas. The Leprechaun’s Gold is recommended for children 4 to 7 years, which I deem appropriate not only in content, but in vocabulary as well.

The illustrations are eye-catching. Cole uses watercolor as a base and adds either color pencils, or pastels on top of the paint for added detail and contrast. The result is very rich, deep hues that pop off the pages. Also, more than half of the pages boast of full-color spread that feature wonderful borders that frame the artwork. Each border is unique, and really adds a visual interest to the illustrations. For instance, one of the borders includes morning glories, and delicate butterflies. The flowers and butterflies twist and wind along the edges in a sinuous, flowing pattern. Another page uses shamrocks, and birds, another includes grapes, and grapevines, and so on.

As an added bonus Cole includes a hide and seek quality that we love in picture books. At the end of the story, the author challenges the reader to find all 16-four-leaf clovers hidden throughout the pages. My son was so intrigued he spent close to an hour looking for all those silly clovers. The Leprechaun’s Gold is a remarkable book that has the potential to teach several lessons about greed, and egoism to kindness and forgiveness. It’s definitely worth its weight in gold!

ISBN: 0-06-443878-3
Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2004



Additional St. Patrick’s Day & Leprechaun Books:
Leprechauns Never Lie
A Fine St. Patrick's Day
Jack and the Leprechaun





Recommended: Yes