Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Let's Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Illustrator: Gwen Connelly
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 6 to 9
Millbrook Press, 2003 ISBN: 0761317821
If you have ever wondered why people where green on march 17th or who St. Patrick was this book will answer these and many more questions about this festive day. St. Patrick was in fact a noble born British Roman called Maewyn Succat who was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland. There he was sold into slavery and was given the job of being a shepherd. One night Patrick had a dream that God spoke to him telling him to run away. This Patrick did going to France. He then decided to become a priest and it was at this point that he took on the name Patrick. When Patrick went to Rome the Pope asked him to go to Ireland. Patrick did as the Pope requested and he spent the rest of his life on the island becoming greatly loved by the Irish people. Ever since the great man died about 1,500 years ago the Irish both in Ireland and in other countries have celebrated the life and work of St. Patrick on March 17th, the date of his death.
In addition to learning about the saint himself the authors tell us how the Irish and American celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, why people wear green on the day, why the shamrock is the symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, and what a leprechaun is. They also include a craft project, jokes, a recipe and lots of little fascinating facts and figures about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
