I love reading folktales, myths and legends from different cultures. They tend to be some of the best stories and have staying power as they are passed down from generation to generation.
Myths and legends tend to be based, very loosely, on history or natural events. For example, the legend of Finn McCool explains the Giant’s Causeway natural rocks in Ireland.
Some tales attempt to explain unexplained occurrences. The ghostly light of the will o’ the wisp luring unsuspecting travelers from their path can be attributed to flammable gas produced over marshes. Other stories are clearly a warning to children to avoid unseen dangers. Whatever the reason, folktales are fun to read and be told out loud. They evoke a thrill of magic and wonder and things unknown.
Ireland is an ancient country known for storytelling. Some common themes and characters in Irish folktales include fairies, leprechauns, Finn MacCool, Selkies, snakes, Pooka’s, and the Children of Lir. Here are some of the best children’s picture book retellings of Irish folklore that will be sure to delight and entertain.
Fairies
Too Many Fairies, A Celtic Tale is a fun retelling of an Irish folktale about being careful what you wish for! An old lady hates doing chores, but when fairies offer to help her, she realizes she got more than she bargained for. (Ages 4-8)
Leprechauns
An Irish Tale told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott, Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk tells the tale of Tim O’Toole and his encounters with some friendly leprechauns who help him find his fortune. Gerald McDermott is a Caldecott award-winning artist who is well known for retelling folk tales from all around the globe. (Ages 3-8)
Fiona’s Luck is an original folktale that weaves together elements of Irish legends: the luck of the Irish, Leprechauns, magic, and cunning. This is a fun story to read out loud. The full-page illustrations by talented artist Kelly Murphy really make this an amazing book. (Ages 4-8)
Finn MacCool, aka Fionn MacCumhaill, aka Fin M’Coul
The tales of Finn MacCool are some of my favorite Irish folktales, he was a mythical hunter-warrior sometimes portrayed as a giant. In Finn McCool and the Great Fish, Finn is the largest giant in all of Ireland, but not very smart. “He’s a bit of a turnip head,” the villagers affectionately say. So Finn decides to change his fate and go in search of the great salmon of knowledge. (Ages 5-8)
Fin M’Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill retells the story of the Giant’s Causeway and Cucullin, the biggest and strongest giant from Scotland, and how he is outwitted by Finn and his clever wife. The more I read Tomie DePaulo’s books the more I love them. The illustrations are recognizable and comforting. DePaulo has written and illustrated several other Irish tales, such as Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato, which are also worth reading. (Ages 5-8)
Selkies
Selkies are creatures found in Norse and Celtic mythology who can change from seal to human. The Seal Children (ages 5-8) is a beautifully illustrated tale of a selkie who falls in love with a fisherman. The Selkie Girl (ages 4-7) by Janis Mackay is a retelling of the traditional selkie legend written for young children. It’s about a little boy who befriends a seal girl who must find her lost seal skin in order to return to the sea.
The Children of Lir
You’ve probably heard some version of this tale; the ballet Swan Lake is based on it. The Children of Lir tells the story of children turned into swans by their evil stepmother. This retelling by Laura Ruth Maher is appropriate for smaller children, as it softens some of the harshnesses of the original tale. It is written in beautiful rhyme that is fun to read aloud and listen to. (Ages 3-8)
Snakes (Actually, no snakes)
There are no snakes in Ireland, the legend being that St. Patrick drove them out. (Another reason could be that Ireland is an Island and snakes can’t swim that far!) The Last Snake in Ireland tells the tale of St. Patrick before he was a saint and how the pesky snakes bothered his old dog so much that he vowed to get rid of all the snakes in Ireland. (Ages 4-8)
Pooka
In Irish folklore, Pooka’s are mischievous shapeshifters, often portrayed as dark horses with glowing eyes. Pooka’s can be spooky! Jamie O’Rourke and the Pooka is laugh-out-loud funny though and has a gentler Pooka who offers to help lazy Jamie O’Rourke with the housework while his wife is away. (Ages 4-8)
Irish Folklore Anthologies
These Irish folklore anthologies are targeted towards children a little older than I normally review. There are not a lot of pictures, but the stories are so well told that these books make excellent read-alouds for both younger listeners and older kids.
A Pot o’ Gold: A Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of Course) Blarney by Kathleen Krull is a fun read for families with a mix of different tales, songs, recipes, and a little silliness.
The O’Brien Book of Irish Fairy Tales and Legends by Una Leavy is a classic anthology of fairy tales and legends and beautifully illustrated.
Tales from Old Ireland contains seven folktales retold by author Malachy Doyle and alluring illustrations by Niamh Sharkey. I appreciate that the book has a pronunciation key, some of those Irish names are tricky!
Ireland is filled with water, surrounded by water, water is everywhere! Wild Waves and Wishing Wells by Orla Mc Govern is filled with tales and myths of watery creatures and legends.
In addition to being the month in which we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, March is also Irish American Heritage Month. So go ahead and take the whole month to enjoy these favorite Irish folktales! For more St. Patrick’s Day book recommendations, check out Saint Patrick’s Day Children’s Books. Thanks for reading.
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