Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-5. Donald O'Dell saves a leprechaun from drowning and is granted enough gold to last him a lifetime. But because he is a kindhearted humanitarian, Donald refuses the generous gift. After many unsuccessful endeavors to leave the gold for Donald, the leprechaun uses another tactic. He tricks Donald into meeting, falling in love with, and marrying Maureen, who has both heart and hair made of gold. The leprechaun finally succeeds in repaying Donald for his heroic act. This well-crafted story is told in a robust, lively manner. The soft, gentle illustrations rendered in pastel watercolors give the book a slightly surrealistic feeling; the combination of story and artwork creates a visually appealing book. This engaging tale told in the tradition of the fairy tale is a top-notch candidate for reading aloud to individuals or groups. --April Judge
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A leprechaun tries to repay a favor with gold, but the man won't accept itÄuntil it comes in the form of a woman with hair of gold and a heart to match. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2ÄDonald O'Dell, a good-hearted handyman, lives a simple life and longs only for a wife and family. Heading home one day, he happens upon a leprechaun trapped in a bubbling stream. He rescues the wee man, takes him home, and nurses him with a steaming cup and a warm fire. Although tradition dictates giving a sum of gold coins to anyone who saves the life of a leprechaun, Donald refuses the generous offer saying he has enough for his needs. With the statement, "You'll accept the gold, one way or another," the leprechaun hurries on his way. In a battle of wills, the magic of the wee folk wins the day in an unexpected way. The whimsical watercolors in pastel shades complete the fantasy and leave one wishing for an early spring when leprechauns are truly a force to be reckoned with. Children will enjoy looking for the leprechaun's hat in many of the illustrations. Written with a slight Irish brogue, this story would be best read aloud with a wee bit of an accent. Mark this one for your St. Patrick's Day picture-book collection.ÄKit Vaughan, J. B. Watkins Elementary School, Midlothian, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Good-hearted Donald O'Dell rescues a drowning leprechaun and is offered a gift of gold. When Donald refuses, the leprechaun leads him (via a stray cow) to the cottage where lovely, lonely, golden-haired Maureen lives. There's more than one kind of gold in the world, says the leprechaun. The full-sized illustrations--with their uncluttered compositions and slightly bug-eyed characters--will show up well at story hours. From HORN BOOK Fall 1998, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This charming tale has an Irish lilt that would certainly withstand an energetic reading out loudand not just on St. Patrick's Day. Donald O'Dell rescues a leprechaun, but he doesn't want the obligatory pot of gold, much to the leprechaun's dismay. Donald O'Dell says, ``I have enough for my needs'' and ``You can keep the gold for yourself.'' The leprechaun can't accept that, and leaves gold on the doorstep, but Donald O'Dell gives it back. For more than a week the leprechaun tucks gold in pockets, porridge, and shoes, but each time, Donald O'Dell returns it. When Donald O'Dell's cow goes astray, he follows it to a house in the wood where a beautiful golden-haired woman answers his knockand so the crafty leprechaun delivers his ``gold'' after all. The soft watercolors are full of funny, smudged details, and the full-face portrait of the lady with the golden hair captures the magic of the text. (Picture book. 5-9)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
