Holiday books for kids are so fun! Historical, whimsical, adventurous, funny or heartwarming there’s something for every family and every holiday. This year we’re here to help you add to your collection of St. Patrick’s Day favorites.
St. Patrick’s Day has been around for over 1,000 years and is a fun way of celebrating Irish culture. The holiday celebrated annually on March 17 is an open display of love, luck, and laughter. For many, it is even a religious holiday.
You can paint your face green, eat corn beef, or join a parade. Whatever you do, be sure to wear green throughout the day or risk getting pinched by a Leprechaun!
There are a wide range of kids’ books for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, from classic to contemporary tales. We’ve compiled a stellar list for you, whether you want to teach your kids more about the holiday or have fun by following a leprechaun on his many adventures. There’s something for everyone!
Below are our top kids’ books for St. Patrick’s Day, suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary kids.
St. Patrick’s Day Books for Toddlers
The following books are great for toddlers during St. Patrick’s Day.
Baby’s First St. Patrick’s Day
Author: Dawn Sirett
This book has a lucky leprechaun, four-leaf clovers, and a massive pot of gold. Baby First St. Patrick’s Day is a great option to have a bit fun with a toddler. This one is a board book that contains touch-and-feel images on each page. These elements will surely capture your little one’s attention. The text is short and sweet which will also keep your little one interested and engaged.
Peppa Pig Loves St. Patrick’s Day
Author: Scholastic Corporation
Calling all Peppa Pig fans! Peppa is off on an adventure in Ireland to learn about St. Patrick’s Day. She joins in the celebration at a fun dance festival. No worries if your young one is unfamiliar with Peppa, the book still works. Bonus- there are fun suggested activities for your toddler in the special fact sheet at the back.
The Littlest Leprechaun
Author: Brandi Dougherty (Illustrated by Michelle Todd)
The Littlest Leprechaun is an addition to the bestselling Littlest Series. The book tells the story of Liam, the smallest leprechaun in the enchanted forest. He feels too little to be helpful in the village but eventually proves that you can make a difference no matter how small you are. A cute book to read aloud.
The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day
Author: Jenna Lettice (Illustrated by Colleen Madden)
Inspired by the popular 12 Days of Christmas, this visual book takes your toddler on a 12-day journey of finding a new item associated with the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Each item is represented on detachable stickers. Your toddler will have so much fun choosing which sticker is appropriate for each day and pasting it into the pages.
St. Patrick’s Day Books for Preschoolers
The following books are great for preschool kids during St. Patrick’s Day.
How to Catch a Leprechaun
Author: Adam Wallace
How to Catch a Leprechaun is one of the most exciting books to engage your preschoolers during St. Patrick’s Day. You will both have fun learning how to set leprechaun-catching traps in your home or school. The illustrations in this book are fun and just the right amount of detail for this age group.
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
Author: Natasha Wing (Illustrated by Amy Wummer)
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day is a fun read-aloud story that will grab your child’s attention and have them laughing all the way through! Natasha Wing gives an inventive new telling of the traditional Christmas rhyme set on the backdrop of St. Patrick’s Day. A fun and rhythmic read.
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning
Author: Eve Bunting
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning is a classic. This book tells the story of Jamie, a young, determined boy. Jamie wakes up early in the morning and challenges himself to march from his house to Acorn Hill in the huge St. Patrick’s Day parade. The illustrations are done with pen and ink and have a soft whimsical feel. Jamie’s story teaches kids that they are not too young to make a difference. It is a perfect book for St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day Books for Elementary Kids
The following books are great for kids in elementary during St. Patrick’s Day.
The Luckiest Leprechaun
Author: Justine Korman (Denise Brunkus)
Bestselling Author and Illustrator Justine and Denise collaborate to produce an astonishing tale of friendship and trust. In this story, a leprechaun becomes friends with a scruffy dog and discovers in him a hidden nature of love and care. The book is full of engaging visuals. It is an excellent choice for a read-aloud book to elementary kids during St. Patrick’s celebration.
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman
Author: Teresa Bateman (Illustrated by Kelly Murphy)
Set in Ireland, Fiona’s Luck is an ideal folktale story. It tells of a duel of wits between the clever Fiona and a Leprechaun King. Fiona outsmarts the mighty King, who locks away all of Emerald Isle’s luck to restore the Isle’s good fortune and thus bring liberation to the people. The storytelling contains a ton of wit and the illustrations are gorgeous.
St Patrick’s Day
Author: Gail Gibbons
Written by Non-fiction writer Gail, this is a colorful book that gives your kids details on the life of St. Patrick and why people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is a well-written story that describes the holiday using pictures. It also shares six legends about St. Patrick.
Other Kids Books for St. Patrick’s Day
Several other top picks about the celebration are suitable for kids across multiple age brackets. They include:
- Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
- O’Sullivan Stew by Hudson Talbott
- The Little Leprechaun Who Loved Yellow! by Sally Huss
- Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting
- That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colandro
- Hooray for St. Patrick’s Day by Joan Holub
Our top kids’ book for St. Patrick’s Day comprises fiction, non-fiction, classic and contemporary stories. These books are both exciting and educational for your kids during St. Patrick’s Day.
It doesn’t matter what age or grade your kids are in – the luck of the Irish is available to anyone interested in St. Patrick’s Day!
Don’t miss What to Eat on This St. Patrick’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best St. Patrick’s Day parades in the U.S.? The largest St. Patrick’s Day parades take place in New York City and Boston. Across America there are generally 100 parades on this holiday. Other large parades take place in Chicago and Philadelphia.
How can I watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on TV? There are a few options for watching parades in Boston and New York City. Check local listings for your hometown parade.
Which river is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S.? The Chicago River, which runs through the heart of downtown Chicago is dyed green annually to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
What is used to dye the Chicago River green? In an effort to be environmentally conscious, vegetable dye is used and the river stays green for only a few short hours.
Is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated around the world? Yes! This holiday is celebrated by many for religious and non-religious reasons in Ireland, the U.S., Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Canada. It may be celebrated to a lesser extent in other countries as well.
