Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. As a storm subsides, three leprechauns prepare to go to work. Their job? Placing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There's no time for mischief along the way, warns one of the wee fellows, but they can't help themselves from carrying out a few pranks as mischief's what leprechauns do. So, by the time the group reaches its destination, Mrs. Ballybunion's cow's hooves are painted a lovely scarlet, old Jamie Bradley's woolen long johns are tied into knots, and a chicken appears to have laid a tennis ball. Bunting's lively telling combines slapstick humor, suspense (will the distracted leprechauns miss the rainbow?), and magical possibilities (That gold's waiting for just the right person ). The lovely ink-and-watercolor pictures extend the humor, whimsy, and magic in scenes that contrast the expansive, emerald-green Irish fields with close-ups of the twinkly-eyed, buckle-shoed trio. A great read-aloud, this will strike a chord with children who, like the leprechauns, can't resist a little mischievous fun. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bunting (The Wall) adds a bit o' blarney to a favorite Irish legend as she imagines three leprechauns on a mission to place a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. As storm clouds begin to roll in, Ari the leprechaun rouses his two colleagues, Boo and Col, for the latest gold job. "It's a leprechaun's duty, so it is," Ari notes of the somewhat wearisome task; "not a single soul ever finds it," Col laments. But on the road to Paddywhackers Bog, where the gold remains hidden on non-rainbow days, the three leprechauns also make mischief ("That's what leprechauns do... Along with our more important duties," says Ari in a kind of refrain). Painting the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunion's cow red and tying Old Jamie Bradley's drying long johns in a knot keep the trio more than amused. By tale's end-and rainbow's end-they're ready to do it all again. Bunting offers a kicky if slight outing here, bringing a dash of modern silliness to her twist on familiar lore. McCully (Mirette on the High Wire) portrays the leprechauns as a craggy-yet-cute blend of dapper and disheveled fellows, donning red buckle shoes, bright green tail coats and blue-and-white striped stockings, all of which accent their smiling eyes. Scenes of the little heroes rolling in the grass or doing a jig in the bog will put a touch o' spring in readers' steps. Ages 5-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-As storm clouds gather ominously in the Irish sky, three diminutive leprechauns rouse themselves to dig up their pot of gold and place it at the end of the coming rainbow. Ari hurries Col and Boo along the country road, intent on accomplishing their task, but the friends can't resist stopping to pull some mischievous pranks along the way, because "that's what leprechauns do." They paint the hooves of Mrs. Ballybunion's cow bright scarlet, tie Old Jamie Bradley's drying long johns into a knot, and plant a yellow tennis ball in the nest of Miss Maudie Murphy's hen. At last, as the raindrops begin to fall, the playful tricksters reach Padddywhackers Bog, dig up their treasure, and set it in place. As the rainbow arches across the sky to touch the pot of gold, the trio settles down to wait, but nobody finds the gold, as usual. Ari cheers up his disgruntled pals, saying "That gold's waiting for just the right person." McCully graces this lighthearted story with her characteristically expressive and charming watercolors that eloquently capture the verdant beauty of the Irish countryside and the irrepressible personalities of the elves. An explanatory note about leprechauns is appended. A perfect choice for March story hours, this title can also be enjoyed all year long.-Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA (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
As black clouds loom, three leprechauns dash to their hidden pot of gold, but they can't resist a few stops along the way for some mischief--because that's what leprechauns do. They reach their gold just in time for the rainbow after the storm. Lively ink and watercolor illustrations energize the playful story. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The skies over the Irish countryside are clouding up: A rainbow is on the way. Leprechauns Ari, Boo and Col have a job to do. Despite the fact that no one ever finds their pot of gold, they must hide it at the end of the rainbow when it appears, because that's what leprechauns do. As they scurry down the country road, Ari, Boo and Col try to resist the temptation to do mischief (something everyone knows leprechauns do too). They just can't pass Mrs. Ballybunion's cow without painting her hooves red. They can't pass a stray tennis ball that, if found under a chicken, would confound Miss Maude Murphy. They complete their appointed task, and make it back in time to have a laugh at Miss Murphy's expense. This nice, if unnecessary, addition to St. Patrick's Day literature is a good introduction to the holiday's wee fairy symbols. Caldecott-winner McCully's sprightly watercolors bring prolific Bunting's cut-and-dried story to life. (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
