Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato [Paperback]

Tomie dePaola (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Amusing illustrations enhance an Irish folktale about Jamie O'Rourke who, after meeting a leprechaun and being granted a wish, asks for all the potatoes he can eat and finds himself having asked for more than he can actually handle. Reprint. PW. K.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Jamie O'Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland." So begins well-known children's book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola's retelling of a popular Irish folktale. Jamie is accustomed to his wife doing all the household and garden chores, so when she injures her back, he figures he's sure to starve to death. But as luck would have it, he chances upon a leprechaun. The elfin man offers Jamie the biggest "pratie" in the world in exchange for letting him go.

Feeling self-satisfied, Jamie plants the seed, which soon grows into a potato big enough to be a logistical nightmare for the village. Luckily, his wife comes through for him once again, and everyone ends up happy and full. This is not a redemptive tale--Jamie does not learn to be industrious. It is, however, a lively, simple-yet-outlandish, brightly illustrated story about a man and a potato, with a leprechaun thrown in, for luck. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

This inspired Irish folktale clearly illustrates that taking the easy way out of a situation is sometimes more trouble than it's worth. Potato farmer Jamie O'Rourke, "the laziest man in all of Ireland," is unfortunately not the brightest of men either. The prospect of a harsh and foodless winter, due to meager crops, and the ceaseless nagging of his hardworking wife impel Jamie to the church to pray for help. As Irish luck would have it, Jamie happens upon and captures a leprechaun who cunningly offers magic potato seeds instead of the traditional pot of gold. The resulting colossal spud feeds the O'Rourkes and the other villagers far longer than anyone could have imagined. Although the comical tone works well here, readers may be surprised that Jamie is rewarded for being lazy. Thatched-roof cottages, stone hedges and sheep dot the green landscape, depicting rustic life on the Emerald Isle. DePaola's distinctive homespun style and genial gentry round, child like faces add plenty of zip to this silly story. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698116038
• ISBN-13: 978-0698116030
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural
  • #65 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural
  • #99 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > General

More About the Author

"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.
He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.
- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Plain old fun, October 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jamie O'Rourke And The Big Potato (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Paperstar Book) (School & Library Binding)

This is just a plain old fun book for kids. No, there are no moral messages to sink deep into your child's soul; no, Jamie O'Rouke doesn't miraculous change at the end of the book (hmm...sound like real life?). He's still as lazy as he ever was. But my kids giggled to read about the big potato and the entire town having to eat it until they didn't ever want to see another potato. Get the book and enjoy it for what it is -- fun.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun fun fun - entertaining book, April 8, 2003

By 

Lori Dremel "shellybean" (GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato (Paperback)

It is highly important for chidren to read folktales to learn about cultures and history. This includes stories that are just plain fun. I highly disagree with the reviewer here who said this story should be left untold. Not all stories have to have a moral (although IMO, this one had one, but I digress). Some stories illustrate to us what a wonderful, fine sense of humor the Irish had (and still do). Jamey had quite an adventure with the wee folk and his "Prattie". My children loved this book, as did I. We liked the dialogue, including, as I mentioned, Tomie de Paola's using of the Irish "prattie" for potatoe. The long-suffering wife was witty, and poor Jamey O'Rourke was a hoot. After reading the library version, we bought our own copy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A big tale about a big potato, October 11, 2006

By 

DONALD G. FOX "Santee Sioux" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jamie O'rourke and the Big Potato (Paperback)

Tomie dePaola's take on an Irish folktale is wonderfully entertaining. Jamie O'Rourke, "the laziest man in all of Ireland," meets up with a leprechaun and makes a deal: instead of demanding the leprechaun's pot of gold, Jamie accepts a seed for "the biggest pratie [potato] in the world." Of course, we all need to be wary of what we wish for. The ensuing results of growing the world's largest potato cause mayhem in the village. It all settles down beautifully by the end and Jamie O'Rourke is proven not to be the fool that everyone thinks he is. A fun and colorful story for kids and adults alike.