There’s some excellent children’s St. Patrick’s Day books. There’s some awful ones, too.
These books tend to fall into one of two categories:
- Books that the story of St. Patrick brilliantly, usually in an illustrated fashion.
- Books that are Irish themed and have a link to a character and St. Patrick’s Day
Below, you’ll find what we think are the best St. Patrick’s Day picture books, each of which has racked up great reviews online!
The best children’s St. Patrick’s Day books
But first – a quick disclaimer – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This means that, if you buy one of the St. Patrick’s Day books for kids listed below, we’ll earn a commission that helps us pay the bills.
1. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
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First up is one of the most popular St. Patrick’s Day picture books – ‘The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day’ by Natash Wing.
This charming story is written in verse – perfect for reading aloud to wide-eyed youngsters before bed.
The tale follows Tim and Maureen on The Night Before St Patrick’s Day as they set traps to catch a leprechaun. Here’s some key info:
- For ages: 3 to 6
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Preschool – 3
2. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato
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Next up is ‘Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato’ by Tomie dePaola. This is one of the best children’s St. Patrick’s Day books review wise, with 4.5/5 from 750+ reviews at the time of typing.
Brimming with big bright pictures and a taste of Irish folklore, this read-aloud tale is all about Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato.
Jamie is the laziest farmer in Ireland, but after a chance encounter with a little leprechaun, he grows the biggest potato in the world… but it won’t stop growing!
- For ages: 2 – 6
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Preschool – 3
3. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover
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‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover!’ by Lucille Colandro is an excellent option if you’re looking for St. Patrick’s Day books for kindergarteners.
The reviews for this one are outstanding, with 5/5 from over 2,000 reviews at the time of typing.
The story follows the old lady that’s swallowed things over and over – this time, however, she’s focused on clovers!
Why, you ask? Well, she’s looking to produce a perfect rainbow to use to hide her pot of gold.
- For ages: 3 – 6
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Preschool – Kindergarten
4. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
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‘Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland’ by Tomie dePaola is a great one for telling the story of St. Patrick’s life.
This is one of the more factual children’s St. Patrick’s Day books and it takes readers on a journey of discovery, from Patrick’s early life to his capture and transport to Ireland.
It includes some of the most notable legends about St. Patrick via beautifully drawn illustrations.
- For ages: 5 – 9
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Kindergarten – 3
5. How to Catch a Leprechaun
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‘How to Catch a Leprechaun’ by Adam Wallace is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
It’s also one of the only children’s St. Patrick’s Day books that’s amassed over 8,800+ reviews on Amazon with a solid 5/5 review score.
The story follows the quest of a person attempting to capture the illusive Leprechaun, with some very Irish symbols, like shamrocks and pots of gold.
One of the reasons that this book is so popular is that it encourages you to start a St. Patrick’s Day tradition of leaving traps for Leprechauns in your home or in the classroom.
- For ages: 3 – 6
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Kindergarten – 6
6. You’re My Little Lucky Charm
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‘You’re My Little Lucky Charm’ by Natalie Marshall is one of the more beautifully illustrated St. Patrick’s Day books for kids.
Ideal for chubby hands to turn the pages and enjoy the colourful pictures, You’re My Little Lucky Charm is a board book celebrating St Patrick’s Day.
Rhyming verses and texturised pictures of rainbows, leprechauns, shamrocks and pots of gold bring together everything magical about St Patrick’s Day.
- For ages: Baby to 2 years
- Number of pages: 18
- Grade level: NA
7. St. Patrick’s Day
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Get the low-down on what St Patrick’s Day is all about with this bright picture story book that covers the life and legends of St. Patrick.
‘St. Patrick’s Day’ by Gail Gibbons is brimming with legends, facts about St. Patrick and some beautiful illustrations, too.
Although it tells the story of St. Patrick, it does so in an accessible manner with clear text and colourful drawings.
- For ages: 3 – 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Kindergarten – 3
8. Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves St. Patrick’s Day
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‘Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves St. Patrick’s Day’ is one of the more popular St. Patrick’s Day books for kindergarteners.
An easy win for those with kids that are already a fan of the Peppa series, this book follows Peppa on a journey of learning about Ireland’s Patron Saint.
In the book Peppa and George take a trip to Ireland for a huge Irish-dancing festival. Then disaster hits – the band have forgotten thier instruments.
Will Peppa and a four-leaf clover save the day?
- For ages: 3 – 5
- Number of pages: 24
- Grade level: Preschool – Kindergarten
9. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George
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‘Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George’ by H. A. Rey is another of several St. Patrick’s Day books for kids with outstanding reviews online.
Curious George can’t resist a celebration, and this tabbed board book takes youngsters on a magical journey to Ireland.
George sticks on his finest festive wear, hunts for Leprechauns and learns some Irish dancing. However, will he manage to make it to the parade without landing himself in some trouble!?
If you’re looking for simple St. Patrick’s Day books for kids with bright pictures and straightforward stories, this is worth a look.
- For ages: 1 – 3
- Number of pages: 14
- Grade level: 1 – Preschool
10. The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day
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‘The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day’ by Mike Berenstain takes readers on a journey with Papa, Mama and the cubs as they learn all about the big day from Grampa Bear.
Gramps tells the cubs all about the different traditions and customs associated with St. Patrick’s Day, from parades and pots of gold to plenty more.
There’s plenty of ‘silly fun’ and the story sees the Bears dress up in green while learning about the legend of the Leprechaun and Ireland’s green land.
- For ages: 3 – 6
- Number of pages: 24
- Grade level: Preschool – 3
11. The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day
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In similar style to the 12 Days of Christmas, this countdown sticker book celebrates the season of St. Patrick.
‘The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day’ by Jenne Lettice is beautifully illustrated and takes kids along for a ride as they count down to the big day.
It all begins with a shamrock in a field, then two fat pots of gold and on to three top hands and so on.
- For ages: 3 – 7
- Number of pages: 24
- Grade level: Preschool – 2
12. The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day
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‘The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day’ by Patricia A. Pingry explains, in a very simple manner, what St. Patrick’s Day is all about.
This is a very accessible introduction to the story of Ireland’s Patron Saint and the day in which we celebrate him.
It’s one of the handiest St. Patrick’s Day books for kids that parents can use to introduce their kids to March 17th and why it is we celebrate.
- For ages: 2 – 6
- Number of pages: 22
- Grade level: Preschool – 1
13. The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever
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‘The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever’ by Teddy Slater is an upbeat story that centres around March 17th.
The Leprechauns are all gathered waiting to celebrate their favourite day of the year – Paddy’s Day!
The parade is running smoothly and the Leprachauns are marching away. Follow them via beautifully illustrated pages as they dance, sing and celebrate the day
- For ages: 4 – 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Grade level: Preschool – 3
14. The Secret Life Of Leprechauns: St. Patrick’s Day Picture Book
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Last but by no means least in our guide to the best children’s St. Patrick’s Day books is ‘The Secret Life Of Leprechauns’ by Luna James.
This one has been written for pre-schoolers and toddlers and it boasts a generous 38 pages of Leprechaun-related-fun!
Using a mix of humour, legend and excellent illustrations, James takes readers into the secretive lives of Ireland’s mysterious Leprechauns.
- For ages: 2 – 6
- Number of pages: 38
- Grade level: NA
What children’s St. Patrick’s Day books have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant St. Patrick’s Day picture books from the guide above.
If you have a book that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!
FAQs about St. Patrick’s Day picture books
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Which has good drawings?’ to ‘What one is factual?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below. Here are some related reads you should find interesting:
- 73 Funny St. Patrick’s Day Jokes For Adults And Kids
- The Best Irish Songs And The Best Irish Films Of All Time For Paddy’s Day
- 8 Ways That We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland
- The Most Notable St. Patrick’s Day Traditions In Ireland
- 17 Tasty St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails To Whip Up At Home
- How To Say Happy St. Patrick’s Day In Irish
- 5 St. Patrick’s Day Prayers And Blessings For 2023
- 17 Surprising Fact’s About St. Patrick’ Day
- 33 Interesting Facts About Ireland
What are the best St. Patrick’s Day books for kids?
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover, Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato and The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day are three great children’s St. Patrick’s Day books.
What are some good Leprechaun picture books?
How to Catch a Leprechaun and The Secret Life Of Leprechauns are two good options, as is The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.