The Leprechaun in the Basement [Hardcover]

Kathy Tucker (Author), John Sandford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

It's St. Patrick's Day and Michael McKeever needs new baseball shoes. As he heads into the basement on an errand, he hears someone singing--someone who, unbeknownst to the McKeevers, has been living there for years. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's St. Patrick's Day, but Michael McKeever has run out of luck. His dad has lost his job, the hot water heater is broken, and now his baseball shoes are falling apart. He and his dad never go out and "throw a few" like they used to, and his mom says they have to learn to Make Do. So when he accidentally discovers a leprechaun in the basement, Michael is sure his luck has changed. Unfortunately, he didn't count on this leprechaun being quite so cantankerous. Any child who has felt the pinch of hard times will relate to Michael's anxiety. And those who have become fretful from boredom will know just how "O'Leary" the leprechaun feels. If any child is fortunate enough to have experienced none of the above, these characters provide a great lesson in empathy--there's always more to a person than meets the eye. (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A matter-of-fact tone and contemporary details make this a picture book that can be read throughout the year, but it's likely to be especially popular around St. Patrick's Day. Michael McKeever and his family are down on their luck-but not too far down. His father is out of work but they still have a roof overhead and plenty to eat; there's just precious little to spare for new baseball shoes. Michael is thrilled to discover a leprechaun (with the traditional pot of gold) in the basement. Unfortunately, O'Leary loves his gold as much as Michael loves baseball, and therein lies the rub. All turns out well, but not exactly in the expected manner, giving the somewhat flat story a pleasant twist. Sandford's illustrations also help to flesh out the tale. Executed in watercolor and pencil, the artwork is most appealing when it features the pointy-eared leprechaun. Michael and his parents are less distinctive in appearance. The relatively long text and rather serious subject matter make this a good read-aloud choice for primary grades. Younger listeners may need to be reassured that things work out in the end, which is implicit but never expressly stated in the text.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807544507
• ISBN-13: 978-0807544501
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,770,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute and Colorful Tale, May 21, 2002

By 

Judith E. Pavluvcik (Dreaming of the beach in Hawaii, but living in the reality of the desert in Arizona!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Leprechaun in the Basement (Hardcover)

Michael McKeever's family is down on their luck, with Michael's father being out of work, and Michael's mother has told Michael that they have to "Make Do". Michael desperately needs need baseball shoes, as his toes are pushing through the ends, but his family cannot afford new shoes and Michael must "Make Do".

Unbeknownst to them all, O'Leary the Leprechaun has been living in their basement and is discovered by Michael on St. Patrick's Day. Michael is familiar with the tales of leprechaun's gold and desperately wants new baseball shoes. O'Leary is a very greedy leprechaun, and refuses to share his gold with Michael. Michael will have to "Make Do" as his mother says and cannot convince O'Leary to share even a small part of his gold.

During the night, greedy, old, cantankerous O"Leary has a change of heart and sews Michael a beautiful new pair of baseball shoes. Michael feels that things will be definitely getting better in their household.

Colorful book for ages 4-7, and children will learn some timely lessons in family hardships, compassion, and understanding. I thought that it was a rather cute tale and if read with a parent, the parent can help the child learn about the lessons presented in the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Leprechaun In The Basement, April 2, 2007

By 

Ymana M. Johnson (Roy, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Leprechaun in the Basement (Hardcover)

Cute story and interesting pictures. Best for kids aged 6, 7, 8 & 9. Enjoyed the historical aspect of the book and how Ireland ties into the US in past history.