TRAVELING TOM AND THE LEPRECHAUN

In a folklorish original tale with a wee bit of psychological complexity at the climax, a wandering minstrel does what a small army of rivals cannot, by separating a leprechaun from its pot of gold to win the hand of a princess. How does young Tom do the deed? By repeatedly rejecting the idea of lugging a lot of gold around, and giving the suspicious leprechaun an itchy foot with beguiling songs and tales of the pleasures of travel. Off bounds the little man at last, leaving Tom staring wistfully after—but, gold in hand, he ultimately goes off to a settled life with the princess, who has “hair like autumn leaves and a smile that could charm peat into flames by its warmth.” The awkward poses of Potter’s figures are more distraction than enhancement, but Tom’s resemblance to Harpo Marx adds an engaging note, as do Princess Kathleen’s rather plain features. (Picture book. 8-10)