Books to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Stories of Faith, Legends, and Irish History
An RA Book List
Looking for great books to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? We’ve put together a fantastic collection for you! This list includes biographies of St. Patrick (some rich with legends, others sticking close to his Confessions), beautifully illustrated picture books, and stories that highlight Ireland’s history and culture as related to St. Patrick. Whether you’re looking for a quick read-aloud or a deeper dive into Christian and modern Irish heritage, these books are a great place to start!
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting; illustrated by Jan Brett
Young Jamie has been told he's too small to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade, but he's the first up in town and determined to make his mark!
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Saint Patrick and the Peddler by Margaret Hodges; illustrated by Paul Brett Johnson
A hopeful tale of a generous peddler, a dream from St. Patrick, and a simple retelling of the saint’s life.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
An absolutely unserious St. Patty's Day read that playfully focuses on teamwork and creativity, when the green crayon goes on vacation and a leprechaun needs to be dressed—every layer, from his white underwear to his scribbled hat!
The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day by Patricia A. Pingry; illustrated by Meredith Johnson
A simple and engaging book for toddlers and young listeners that provides a broad overview of St. Patrick's religious history and modern-day celebrations, featuring a diverse cast of children in the illustrations.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks by Mary Berendes
A one-of-a-kind book that weaves together nature study, a science lesson on shamrocks, and a briefly told biography of St. Patrick and the religious imagery of the shamrock.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Patrick of Ireland by Wilma Pitchford Hays; illustrated by Peter Burchard
While this book is one of the most intense and graphic on the list, it also most vividly showcases the power of God as a real, active force — not just a concept — shaping Patrick’s life and guiding him through unimaginable trials.
Available to read on Internet Archive.
St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
I always appreciate Gail Gibbons' ability to break down holidays into simple stories and concepts, covering both the religious and traditional aspects and how they’re observed today. She has a great insight into what kids find interesting in a first introduction and general overview. Her ability to balance the historical, cultural, and modern aspects while keeping it simple and fun makes her books perfect for young readers.
Saint Patrick : Patron Saint of Ireland by Lois Rock
What I most appreciated about this book is how it explains how St. Patrick used the Irish people’s understanding of the spirit world as object lessons to teach Christianity, showing how Jesus is the true fulfillment. This approach made it easier for the people to understand his message, all in simple and clear terms.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Wilford and Blue: Paddy’s Day Pincher by Rebecca and James McDonald
I wasn’t expecting to find a book for the emotional intelligence shelf among my St. Patrick’s Day reading—but here we are! Wilford hears that not wearing green means you can be pinched, so he goes on a tear through the farm, upsetting all his fellow animals. He learns the hard way that it doesn’t feel good and discovers it’s far better to protect our friends than take joy in their suffering. This one is definitely making its way onto our shelves.
A Leprechaun’s St. Patrick’s Day by Sarah Kirwan Blazek; illustrated by James Rice
A picture book in verse for St. Patrick's Day, where leprechauns, gold, and a fun mix of Irish words and phrases come together. This delightful tale will make listeners feel as though they've embarked on an adventure through the Irish countryside.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
St. Patrick’s Day by Mary Cantwell; illustrated by Ursula Arndt
A charming little biography of Saint Patrick. This one embraces the wonder of the miraculous, referring to it as magic and framing much of it as fairy tales—while still affirming Patrick’s true and lasting contributions. It also explores how he is remembered and celebrated today. (To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
St. Patrick: His Writings and Life by Newport J.D. White D.D.
While I can't speak to White's commentary, it's a valuable resource for St. Patrick’s own writings.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Irish Fairy and Folk Tales by James Stephens
Gemma listened to the audiobook of this when she was eleven and remembers it feeling odd. She wishes she’d waited until after taking Angelina Stanford’s How to Read Fairy Tales class—she thinks it would have made more sense to her then. That said, she just gave me a fifteen minute narration of the book, so it clearly left an impression! It’s a collection of Irish legends, including a tale of Fionn—one of the great heroes St. Patrick himself spoke of. ETA: It’s been suggested, by those who know more than I do about the issue, that I add that many of these stories are from the Fenian Cycle- one of the four major cycles of medieval Irish Mythology.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
The Rhymed Life of St. Patrick by Katharine Tynan; illustrated by Lindsay Symington
This rhymed telling makes a great read-aloud and leans heavily on the miracles and lore of Patrick’s life. It does include some older language that may have different meanings in the U.S. today, so if younger kids are reading it alone, a conversation to clarify could be helpful.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Saint Patrick by Ann Tompert; illustrated by Michael Garland
A straightforward, introductory biography of St. Patrick, drawn primarily from his Confessions. Unlike many other accounts, this one focuses on his own words rather than legends and miracles.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Saint Patrick by Nicola Baxter
Half biography, half comic-style storytelling. I appreciated the emphasis on Patrick as a man of faith rather than a man of learning—and the note about his terrible spelling. This book feels thoughtfully designed for dyslexic and delayed readers.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Patrick: Saint of Ireland by Joyce Denham; illustrated by Diana Mayo
I love the illustrations—rich and evocative. With its blend of prayers, poems, and bold storytelling, it reads like an epic short story.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
The Legends of Saint Patrick. by Aubrey De Vere, LL.D.
I'm enjoying my first read through this book of epic poems on the life of St. Patrick. My plan is to read one each year to my kids on St. Patrick’s Day, stretching the experience over many years.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan; illustrated by Ben F. Stahl
This heartfelt generational story follows Irish immigration to the U.S. during the potato famine, highlighting the importance of sharing our stories to keep family history alive.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
Saint Patrick’s Day by Ann Heinrichs; illustrated by Joel Snyder
A delightful overview of Saint Patrick’s life, along with modern traditions like wearing green to avoid a pinch. It also features prayers, poems, and crafts.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
St. Patrick and the Three Brave Mice by Joyce A. Stengel
A delightful short tale of three brave mice who played a part in helping St. Patrick drive the last snake from Ireland. For older listeners, it may be worth noting that many believe the "snakes" were not literal but symbolized the druid rulers of the land.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski; illustrated by Tom Curry
A charming story of a town who prioritizes kindness towards living things over competition and discovers that the true reward is the joy and contentment they share together.
(To read on Internet Archive, click here.)
