That's What Leprechauns Do [Paperback]

Eve Bunting (Author), Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2009 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

What do leprechauns do? They bury a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, of course. But as Mrs. Bally Bunion’s ox, Miss Maude Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon find out, they can’t resist having a little fun along the way. For, besides burying pots of gold, mischief is what leprechauns do!

From this amazing picture book duo comes a lively fun tale that’s perfect for mischief makers of all ages!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–As storm clouds gather ominously in the Irish sky, three diminutive leprechauns rouse themselves to dig up their pot of gold and place it at the end of the coming rainbow. Ari hurries Col and Boo along the country road, intent on accomplishing their task, but the friends cant resist stopping to pull some mischievous pranks along the way, because thats what leprechauns do. They paint the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunions cow bright scarlet, tie Old Jamie Bradleys drying long johns into a knot, and plant a yellow tennis ball in the nest of Miss Maudie Murphys hen. At last, as the raindrops begin to fall, the playful tricksters reach Padddywhackers Bog, dig up their treasure, and set it in place. As the rainbow arches across the sky to touch the pot of gold, the trio settles down to wait, but nobody finds the gold, as usual. Ari cheers up his disgruntled pals, saying That golds waiting for just the right person. McCully graces this lighthearted story with her characteristically expressive and charming watercolors that eloquently capture the verdant beauty of the Irish countryside and the irrepressible personalities of the elves. An explanatory note about leprechauns is appended. A perfect choice for March story hours, this title can also be enjoyed all year long.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. As a storm subsides, three leprechauns prepare to go to work. Their job? Placing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There's "no time for mischief along the way," warns one of the wee fellows, but they can't help themselves from carrying out a few pranks as "mischief's what leprechauns do." So, by the time the group reaches its destination, Mrs. Ballybunion's cow's hooves are painted a lovely scarlet, old Jamie Bradley's woolen long johns are tied into knots, and a chicken appears to have laid a tennis ball. Bunting's lively telling combines slapstick humor, suspense (will the distracted leprechauns miss the rainbow?), and magical possibilities ("That gold's waiting for just the right person"). The lovely ink-and-watercolor pictures extend the humor, whimsy, and magic in scenes that contrast the expansive, emerald-green Irish fields with close-ups of the twinkly-eyed, buckle-shoed trio. A great read-aloud, this will strike a chord with children who, like the leprechauns, can't resist a little mischievous fun. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (February 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547076738
• ISBN-13: 978-0547076737
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Whimsical October 20, 2008

By Jeremy McGuire

Format:Hardcover

This charming picture book for young readers is sure to delight any child with its comical story line and whimsical watercolor drawings.
Everyone knows that leprechauns hoard gold and their main function, besides being shoemakers to the fairies, is to hide their pots of gold from the grasping hands of humans who would take it from them if they could. The trick is to put it at the ends of rainbows where it is safe since no human has ever found the end of a rainbow. It's not that the dear fellows don't want people to find the gold, but they are very selective about the kind of person who finds it. It must be someone with a "bit of luck and a bit of imagination."
While protecting pots of gold is their job, the leprechauns can't stay focused on it when there is so much mischief to be done on the way, mischief they can't resist because, it's just what leprechauns do, don't you know? They are what they are and it can't be helped.
Ari, Boo and Col, the three engaging leprechauns in the story, do eventually get to their job-site at rainbow's end, but the distractions that threaten to make them late are really the main delight of the book. From polishing the cow's hooves red to tying the legs of long underwear, drying on the hedge, into a knot, to putting a tennis ball under a farmer's hen just to make him wonder, children will be kept laughing while being thoroughly engaged in the hilarious illustrations.
This is a must have for any young child's library.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun story of animal encounters and lessons learned January 13, 2006

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

Three leprechauns have an important job: they must dig up the pot of gold before the rainbow comes to expose their hiding place - but on the way they can't resist some mischief involving farm animals, putting the pot of gold in danger. A fun story of animal encounters and lessons learned evolves.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not written very well... March 21, 2012

By E. THOMSON

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wanted to get a fun, illustrated book to teach my children about St. Patrick's Day and Leprechauns. I would recommend getting a different book. This book was just okay. Reading the book's description, I thought it would be a lot cuter of a story, but it is hurried and scattered and even my young children felt like the story was missing too many details. It almost has the feel of reading a condensed version of a book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book for St Patrick's Day! May 5, 2009

By Z Hayes HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Even though St Patrick's Day has passed, I thought this would be a fun read with my preschooler, and it was! Three mischievous leprechauns see a storm coming, and anticipating a rainbow, proceed to the spot where they've buried the pot of gold [their job is to place said pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to be found by someone deemed worthy].

Of course, being leprechauns, Art, Boo and Col cannot resist getting sidetracked along the way - playing pranks on unsuspecting villagers [placing a tennis ball under an obliging hen to be discovered by it's owner etc]. Their shenanigans are comical and I loved the use of words and illustrations to convey the leprechauns' antics.

This is a fun book that may not only be appreciated on St Patrick's Day, but any day throughout the year, especially for little lovers of folk tales!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book April 3, 2009

By kristen M,

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this book to my 4 and a half year old son for St. Patrick's Day. It is very cute and he loves when we read it to him. The illustrations are very good and the story is one he loves to hear over and over. A nice little Irish book for this age group.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great Book March 28, 2010

By C. Pearce

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I LOVED this book. I read it to my grandchildren when I did a "Nana's Leprechaun Camp". The illustrations are great and the story is delightful. It got my grandchildren excited about leprechauns and and the harmless mischief they can cause. Both the story and the illustrations kept their attention.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun book! January 12, 2009

By J. Young

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having recently returned from a trip to Ireland (and having failed to bring back the one thing my older granddaughter requested -- a leprechaun!) this book was a fun substitute. Both granddaughters, 4 and 7, enjoyed the story -- and we all enjoyed the illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment March 24, 2010

By Caryn Dole

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book contains beautiful, imaginative artwork as well as a story that enthralls young children.
Very delightful!