The Library joins families throughout the city celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, and we celebrate Irish Heritage Month all month long! Larger St. Patrick’s Day celebrations remain virtual this year, so we rounded up some of our favorite picture books for families to share at home. In addition to highlighting beloved Irish folklore, myths, and legends, we included titles from talented Irish authors writing today.

Malachy Doyle’s Tales from Old Ireland (illustrated by Niamh Sharkey) is a collection of some of the most famous Irish folk tales, including the legend of the bewitched Children of Lir and the Twelve Wild Geese. These stories come from Ireland’s rich tradition of oral storytelling and make perfect read alouds.

Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by Kelly Murphy, is an original folktale about a young, ordinary girl, who must use her cunning to outwit the leprechaun king and restore luck back to the Emerald Isle.

For those who can’t get enough leprechaun stories, How to Trap a Leprechaun, written by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Emma Randall, will tell young readers all they need to know about trapping this mischievous creature.

The Hug by Eoin McLaughlin and illustrated by Polly Dunbar, is a friendship story from one of Ireland’s best new authors of children’s books, Eoin McLaughlin. Follow a story of two animals looking for a hug—a hedgehog and a tortoise. Told from each animal’s perspective, readers can flip the book around in the middle to see the turtle’s side of the story. 

Finally, two of the most beloved Irish authors writing today are Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers. They teamed up for Imaginary Fred, with Colfer supplying the story and Jeffers illustrating. This month’s Irish Heritage Month storytime features another story from Oliver Jeffers, Up and Down!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and happy reading!