LOOKING FOR LEPRECHAUNS

Tales of leprechauns inspire best friends to seek one out for its pot of gold in Bird’s chapter book.

Boston grade-schoolers Ellie and her best friend, Kim, are captivated by Kim’s grandmother’s tales about leprechauns. When Ellie’s mom says she read that some leprechauns emigrated from Ireland to Boston, the girls decide to capture one of the little folk, hoping to be offered gold in exchange for its release. The author nicely conveys a sense of possibility in the excitement that Ellie and Kim feel when Ellie’s mother suggests a likely spot for their search in a field with an ancient oak tree: “There was hardly enough earth to hold the massive roots that knotted over each other…. Among the decay and decomposition, small mushrooms sprouted eagerly from beneath the damp ground.” Central to the book’s message about the link between children’s imaginative play and their ability to problem-solve is Ellie’s supportive mom, who calls all of Ellie and Kim’s outings “adventures.” She subtly facilitates the girls’ mission, contributing well-timed nuggets of leprechaun information with the disclaimer that she is sharing “what I read in a book of folklore.” In Ellie and Kim’s approach, Bird models systematic information-gathering through online research, direct sources (Ellie’s mom and Kim’s grandmother), and creative thinking—the tiny silver buckle they find must come from a leprechaun’s shoe, and that scrap of leather; could it be a leprechaun’s blanket or shoe-making material? At home, Ellie’s everyday life disappointingly includes some seemingly obligatory sibling conflict: In response to her twin brother James’ smirking skepticism about her leprechaun findings, Ellie calls him a “Blockhead.” Visually, most pages of the well-spaced text are enlivened by David A.’s ink-and-watercolor cartoon-style spot drawings of leprechauns, a mushroom fairy ring, acorns, little hats and boots, and coin-filled kettles. Some of the action, including Ellie and Kim’s search of the hollow under the oak tree, is rendered in half-page illustrations. In the text itself, a mix of regular and decorative fonts used for emphasis adds to the visual appeal.

Relatable storytelling and characters underscore the importance of encouraging children to stretch their imaginations.