WELCOME TO THE rival towns of Tralee and Tralah, where the annual St. Patrick’s Day decorating contest is under way. Every year, Tralah defeats Tralee. This year, though, little Fiona Riley has a wonderful idea that will help Tralee win the contest for sure. But neither town has counted on a stranger arriving—a funny little man with pointed ears and boots trimmed with bells—who will turn the contest upside down!
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K-Gr. 2. The neighboring towns of Tralee and Tralah compete each year in a St. Patrick's Day decorating contest, and each year Tralee loses. This year, however, six-year-old Tralee resident Fiona Riley has an idea that may turn the town's luck around--she suggests that they paint the entire town green. As the two towns busy themselves with contest preparations, a stranger comes to Tralah, a small, pointy-eared man on a white horse who needs help getting his cows unstuck from the mud. The townspeople of Tralah can't be bothered to help him; they are cutting shamrocks out of cardboard to glue on all their trees. But the good folks of Tralee, led again by Fiona, agree to hang up their paintbrushes and help the cows. Despite their sacrifice, they win the contest; the stranger paints the town green while they are sleeping. Wojciechowski's charming tale is beautifully complemented by Curry's stylized depictions of green rolling hills and thatched-roof houses. Both text and art convey a sturdy feeling about community and charity, brushed with touch of whimsy. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
“Wojciechowski tells a fine story that reads well aloud; Curry’s drolly mock-primitive paintings practically glow with color and bristle with texture. Practice your brogue, and sure and begorra, start working some story-hour magic.”—The Horn Book
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthwhile Read!,
By History_of_Art_Geek (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Fine St. Patrick's Day (Hardcover)
I love this tale for it offers the perfect opportunity to discuss generosity and service to ones community. In the story the whole community comes together to paint the town Limerick Lime. They also unite to help the traveling stranger with his problem. There's so much selfishness in society today, and every now and then it's nice to be reminded of the things that matter most in life, friendship, love, and community. Well, those things matter most to me anyway...
The illustrator, Tom Curry, has a folksy style that lends itself to Wojciechowski's countrified fable. Reminiscent of Grandma Moses' folk art, Curry's pastoral scenes are charming, and out of the ordinary for children's literature. Susan Wojciechowski generally known for the Beany series succeeds in writing a noble tale of charity verses greed. She has a pleasing way with words as the text flows along page after page. There's a lilt to her writing, and she's thrown in a bit of the Irish brogue as well. All in all, A Fine St. Patrick's Day is a worthwhile read.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine St. Patrick's Tale,
By
This review is from: A Fine St. Patrick's Day (Hardcover)
Looking for a book with a fun St. Patrick's Day tale, bright illustrations, a moral and a wee bit `o leprechaun magic? Here it is.
Wojciechowski spins an original folktale of two Irish towns engaged in an annual St. Patrick's Day decorating competition. Preparations are getting heated and judging time draws near when a stranger arrives asking for help. How each town reacts teaches a moral lesson about helping others and working together. The folk-art illustrations by Tom Curry complement the mood of the story and are fun to look at. I can't wait to read this to my kids. Dawn Mena www.bookbuds.net
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Nice St. Patrick's Folk Tale,
By Lane Young "Teacher and Librarian" (Highland Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: A Fine St. Patrick's Day (Hardcover)
Every St. Patrick's Day two towns compete to see who could decorate better. Sick of losing every year a young girl in one of the towns comes up with the idea of painting everything in the village green (except the mailboxes - they're government property and fire hydrants - which must be yellow so they can be seen). When a stranger comes asking for help the town must decide whether or not to abandon their painting to help. The illustrations feature bold colors and are well suited for this delightful folk tale.
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