Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Leprechaun Who Lost His Rainbow
Illustrator: Nancy Cote
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Albert Whitman & Company, 2009 ISBN: 080754454X
It is Saint Patrick’s Day and Colleen is sitting on her front step playing a penny whistle when a little man suddenly appears. Without so much as a “please” the little man steals Colleen’s piece of red licorice and he puts it into his hat. At first Colleen is very annoyed with the little man, but then he explains that he has lost his rainbow. As everyone knows, leprechauns keep their gold at the end of rainbows, and a leprechaun without gold is barely a leprechaun at all!
The leprechaun explains that Colleen’s grandfather helped him find his rainbow many years ago and now it is Colleen’s turn to help him “build a rainbow.” To create the colors of the rainbow, Colleen has to put something colored that belongs to her into the leprechaun’s magical hat.
This charming holiday tale not only captures the flavor of a St. Patrick’s day celebration, but it also shows children how important it is to give to others.
