St. Patrick’s Day Read Alouds

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about wearing green or hunting for four-leaf clovers—it’s also a fantastic opportunity to share stories that bring the magic of Ireland to life. Read-alouds are a great way to engage kids and ignite their imagination while introducing them to the rich culture and folklore of this festive day.

Whether you’re reading about leprechauns, shamrocks, or the legend of St. Patrick, these books offer a perfect blend of fun and learning. Not only do read-alouds help improve literacy skills, but they also create lasting memories and spark conversations about Irish traditions.

Some fantastic St. Patrick’s Day-themed read-alouds that I share with my students include:

How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace – A playful, rhyming story about mischievous leprechauns and clever traps.
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing is a festive and fun twist on the classic “Night Before Christmas” rhyme. The story follows two children eagerly preparing for St. Patrick’s Day.
Fiona’s Luck by Gail Gibbons – A charming Irish folk tale that reimagines a classic legend with a delightful twist. Follow along as Fiona outwits the leprechauns with her quick thinking and courage.
The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever! by Teddy Slater – A delightful story that follows a young boy named Sean as he celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with his family. Sean believes this will be the best St. Patrick’s Day ever, but when his plans to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow don’t go as expected, he learns that true luck comes from the love and joy of family and friends.
Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase by Kimberly and James Dean – When Pete hears about a leprechaun who might have hidden a pot of gold, he decides to go on a chase to find it.
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola – A humorous Irish folktale about a lazy man named Jamie O’Rourke. One day, Jamie’s wife falls ill, and it’s up to him to grow a potato for their dinner. However, Jamie’s laziness leads to a surprising outcome—a giant potato that he can’t handle on his own.
Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting – Rabbit is growing shamrocks in a pretty yellow pot–he’s getting them ready for St. Patrick’s Day so he can wear them for the parade! When his pot of beautiful green shamrocks goes missing, he goes searching . . . will he find them in time?
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover by Lucille Colandro – A fun twist on the classic “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” rhyme, with a St. Patrick’s Day theme.
The Luckiest Leprechaun by Bryce Dallas Howard – A story about a young leprechaun named Finn who is known for his luck. Despite his good fortune, Finn feels a little lonely and longs for a true friend to share his luck with.