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That's What Leprechauns Do
The three leprechauns Ari, Boo, and Col have a job to do. They must race to where they’ve buried the pot of gold and dig it up before the rainbow comes. The clouds are already gathering, so there’ll be no time for mischief along the way.
But Mrs. Ballybunion’s cow, Miss Maud Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon find out that the three clever fellows can’t resist having a little fun on the road to Paddywhackers Bog. For, in addition to putting a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, mischief is what leprechauns do!
Delightful illustrations from a Caldecott medalist and a playful text written in a lilting Irish style make this a perfect story for St. Patrick’s Day or any other time of year. Includes an author’s note about leprechauns and rainbows.
But Mrs. Ballybunion’s cow, Miss Maud Murphy’s hen, and Old Jamie soon find out that the three clever fellows can’t resist having a little fun on the road to Paddywhackers Bog. For, in addition to putting a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, mischief is what leprechauns do!
Delightful illustrations from a Caldecott medalist and a playful text written in a lilting Irish style make this a perfect story for St. Patrick’s Day or any other time of year. Includes an author’s note about leprechauns and rainbows.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 17, 2006
3 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
307 books406 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 14, 2021
I try and find Eve Bunting books as I enjoy them and there are many. I had this on call before the pandemic and then it took forever to get it, so I'm reviewing it 2 months early. Eve was born in 1928 so she is getting up there. This was written in 2005. That's a long career.
This is about Leprechauns pulling some pranks on the denizens around them before a storm. They have to bury their pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow in case someone finds them. The first prank is the best. They paint a cows hooves red. That would be amazing to see. The other pranks aren't nearly so whimsical. The middle prank is weak, but the last one with a tennis ball under a hen was sort of cute.
The artwork was sort of sloppy, in my opinion. I have seen Eve work with better, or different illustrators. I wasn't so much a fan of the art. There was plenty of green and the Leprechauns were cute. This is a fine book for St. Pats day, but not the best either. Eve did an early book for the holiday and I like that one better.
There is a great explanation of the Leprechaun myth in the back page that gives some of the legend. I either forgot or didn't know they were shoe-makers. Interesting.
This is about Leprechauns pulling some pranks on the denizens around them before a storm. They have to bury their pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow in case someone finds them. The first prank is the best. They paint a cows hooves red. That would be amazing to see. The other pranks aren't nearly so whimsical. The middle prank is weak, but the last one with a tennis ball under a hen was sort of cute.
The artwork was sort of sloppy, in my opinion. I have seen Eve work with better, or different illustrators. I wasn't so much a fan of the art. There was plenty of green and the Leprechauns were cute. This is a fine book for St. Pats day, but not the best either. Eve did an early book for the holiday and I like that one better.
There is a great explanation of the Leprechaun myth in the back page that gives some of the legend. I either forgot or didn't know they were shoe-makers. Interesting.
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December 24, 2023Shamelessly trying to reach my reading goal while in a terrible book slump
April 2, 2010
Cute, fun story about how the leprechauns run all over the place at the last minute to put their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but for some reason no one comes to claim it. Along the way they cause a bit of mischief with the village folk but it's all in good fun. Didn't really like the illustrations which is why I'd give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 but the story is good for a St Patrick's Day theme.
March 20, 2024
My original, three star review:
Eh. It was okay, but nothing that really grabbed me. I expected more from Eve Bunting, but kids will probably enjoy the antics of the mischievous leprechauns on their way to put the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Updated review: I'm adding an extra star from the target audience because, yes, my eight-year-old totally enjoyed the mischievous leprechauns and giggled his way through this -- it got several rereads this St. Patrick's Day.
Eh. It was okay, but nothing that really grabbed me. I expected more from Eve Bunting, but kids will probably enjoy the antics of the mischievous leprechauns on their way to put the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Updated review: I'm adding an extra star from the target audience because, yes, my eight-year-old totally enjoyed the mischievous leprechauns and giggled his way through this -- it got several rereads this St. Patrick's Day.
March 6, 2019
This book didn’t hold the children’s interest at all and while it had silly things that leprechauns do, the kids didn’t seem to see the humor.
April 12, 2019
Great little book :) Lots of shenanigans and is especially nice read w/ an Irish lilt.
October 3, 2019
Leprechauns rush to put their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but no one ever shows up. They stop along the way a few times to fit in some mischief because that's what Leprechauns do.
March 7, 2021
I like to cause mischief maybe I am part leprechaun! Fun to read about fellow troublemakers!
October 22, 2010
This story tells the tale of three leprechauns. As they are on their way towards the pot of gold, they meet various characters along the way and play tricks on them. For example, they paint a cow's hooves red and trick a chicken into sitting on a tennis ball. All along, the leprechauns tell the animals that they are not mischievous, but the reader knows otherwise. When the leprechauns reach the pot of gold, they stay by it during a rainbow and wait for someone to come claim their fortune. However, no one discovers the pot of gold by the time the rainbow fades, leaving the leprechauns free to continue their trickery.
While this is an entertaining tale to share for St. Patrick's Day, I don't find this book extremely interesting. It's amusing to see what the leprechauns will do, but the wording does not intrigue me to continue reading to find out what may happen next. There were no specific aspects of the writing that stand out as a great educational tool. Overall, while this may be a fun read for some children, it is not highly recommended to read.
While this is an entertaining tale to share for St. Patrick's Day, I don't find this book extremely interesting. It's amusing to see what the leprechauns will do, but the wording does not intrigue me to continue reading to find out what may happen next. There were no specific aspects of the writing that stand out as a great educational tool. Overall, while this may be a fun read for some children, it is not highly recommended to read.
March 14, 2014
Leprechauns have a very special duty, to dig up their pot of gold and place it in just the right spot for the rainbow to end. On this particular day, Ari, Boo, and Col are on their way to do just that, but can't help causing a little mischief along the way. After all, that's what leprechauns do.
It's a cute enough book. The leprechauns are amusing and their mischief-making is cute and harmless enough, but they didn't make me laugh out loud. it's fun to read aloud, with the leprechauns having a bit of a lilt to their speech and the occasional odd phrase, like "tootled some grass-stalk music."
The illustrations by McCully are charming. Cute and colorful, they fit the light-heartedness of the story well.
It's a cute book to share with pre-schoolers and early elementary kids this time of year.
In the back, there's a note from the author with tips about finding that pot of gold that's waiting for someone with "a bit of magic, a bit of luck, and a bit of imagination."
It's a cute enough book. The leprechauns are amusing and their mischief-making is cute and harmless enough, but they didn't make me laugh out loud. it's fun to read aloud, with the leprechauns having a bit of a lilt to their speech and the occasional odd phrase, like "tootled some grass-stalk music."
The illustrations by McCully are charming. Cute and colorful, they fit the light-heartedness of the story well.
It's a cute book to share with pre-schoolers and early elementary kids this time of year.
In the back, there's a note from the author with tips about finding that pot of gold that's waiting for someone with "a bit of magic, a bit of luck, and a bit of imagination."
July 7, 2011
The leprechauns' expressions in this book by Eve Bunting are priceless! That's What Leprechauns Do is full of elfin magic and mischief. Alf, Boo, and Col sense a rain shower coming on...so, they must hurry, HURRY to place the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...because, after all, that is what leprechuans do. Along the way, however, they are up to their usual prankster tricks and paint a cow's hooves scarlet red, tie Jamie Bradley's long johns in a knot, and convince Bridie the hen to sit on a bright yellow tennis ball to fool Miss Maud Murphy...because, after all, that is what leprechauns do.
They create mischief and they do it well.
There is Leprechaun lore on the last page with helpful hints for finding your very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The illustrations in this book are magical.
Used for "Rainbows" storytime: July, 2011.
They create mischief and they do it well.
There is Leprechaun lore on the last page with helpful hints for finding your very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The illustrations in this book are magical.
Used for "Rainbows" storytime: July, 2011.
March 24, 2016
That's What Leprechauns Do is a pretty cute book to introduce kids into a fantasy/fiction story that is connected to a culture that might be different from their own.
This book is "executed" in watercolor as stated in the end pages. There is a wide variety of color and it is very bright which is visually appealing to me. While the colors are nice, the illustrations don't necessarily make me think "wow".
The text is a little extensive and might need a little bit of explaining based on the age of the child reading the book.
Overall I wasn't amazed at the book but I was amused.
This book is "executed" in watercolor as stated in the end pages. There is a wide variety of color and it is very bright which is visually appealing to me. While the colors are nice, the illustrations don't necessarily make me think "wow".
The text is a little extensive and might need a little bit of explaining based on the age of the child reading the book.
Overall I wasn't amazed at the book but I was amused.
December 10, 2014
I started this book a month ago and got really bored. Today I started again and I got really bored. It just wasn't as fun as I thought it was supposed to be. It took forever to read, the pictures were boring and the story just ended abruptly. I love Ireland and thinks Leprechauns are cool but this book was so.... boring.... sorry, I really wanted to like it that is why I tried to read it again....oh well..... TOOO LONG TOO BORING!!!!!
April 25, 2011
My mentor teacher used this as a compare and contrast book with the students. There were 2 books that they were provided with the opportunity for her to read aloud. This was used as a narrative story and she also had more of an informative text. She used it during St. Patrick's day and they compared and contrasted the differences in the two texts! The kids loved it!
September 21, 2013
A cute little St. Patrick's Day story about leprechauns and their mischief. Aimed towards younger grades, it's simply a fun tale about leprechauns on their way to put the gold under a rainbow and the pranks they pull along the way. Would be good for a quick read aloud, perhaps one that led into a themed art project.
February 21, 2014
I expected more from an Eve Bunting title. Three leprechauns see a storm coming and rush to bury gold at the end of the rainbow. They play some not so clever tricks along the way. The watercolor illustrations are pretty and bright, but the story is not terribly cohesive and I just did not find the leprechauns to be funny or clever.
March 19, 2018
This was a super fun read for all of my kiddos K-4. They loved learning about the work leprechauns do and their antics as well. The illustrations are as inviting as the prose. The children also enjoyed reading about the leprechaun legend at the back and learning their history. This was a real winner!
March 31, 2018
Summary: The leprechauns race to put the gold at the end of the rainbow, but they stop to make mischief along the way.
Why I Read This: I'm not sure, but it has something to do with St. Patrick's Day and March Reading.
Review: Meh. It was fine. I dislike people who make mischief and don't learn a lesson, but so be it.
Why I Read This: I'm not sure, but it has something to do with St. Patrick's Day and March Reading.
Review: Meh. It was fine. I dislike people who make mischief and don't learn a lesson, but so be it.
March 6, 2025
The three Leprechauns Art, Boo, and Col most important job is to place the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after it rains. As the clouds gather the three Leprechauns prepare to do their most important job, but along the way to place the pot of gold, they cause mischief, because that's what Leprechauns do.
July 25, 2019
I love all things Irish and so do my kiddos. We read this one for nothing more than to have an adventure with fairy folk with an Ireland backdrop. This one is great if you love the fairy world or Ireland, even better if you love both. I don't have to mention that this is perfect around St. Patrick's Day.
March 17, 2010
These leprechauns like to make mischief. The cow liked her red painted hooves and Birdie played along to pretend laying a tennis ball. Ari, Col, and Boo also know how to dig up the hidden pot of gold to place at the end of the rainbow.
March 19, 2020
This was a fun one to leave from their leprechaun. My niece and nephew have so much fun every March trying to catch one of the little guys. We set up a trap and they get little surprises too. This one had to be part of that.
February 21, 2013
This book is cute and I love the pictures! My daughter loves laughing at the three leprechauns' pranks; I just wish there were more of them!
November 23, 2015
Lame. There are many, many better leprechaun books out there.
March 10, 2017
Very cute book about leprechauns, and what they do ... hiding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow ... but also mischief and shenanigans. Very fun.
August 5, 2017
Interesting story of the leprechauns and what they do to put the gold at the end of the rainbow.
November 21, 2018
A cute story to teach the legend of a leprechaun. Published in 2005.
June 20, 2019
My son and I both loved this book. It was a fun edition to our Saint Patrick's Day reading collection.
March 4, 2022
Not bad. At least it's creative enough to have three wee men, and to have them be the entire focus of the story. And there's an author's note. Still, I don't particularly recommend it.
March 4, 2021
I don't know if the fact that St. Patrick's day is just around the corner influenced my giving THAT'S WHAT LEPRECAUNS DO by Eve Bunting,(illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully) a 5-star rating or not. But I don't think so. It's a fun read for adults, just as I imagine this beautifully illustrated tale will be for the little one destined to receive it very soon. Three mischievous leprechauns have their annual St.Pat's day duty to perform, but as they begin their trek to the site where the rainbow ends, they get distracted with several opportunities (of course) - meaning there's a danger to the buried gold. It might not be piled into the huge pot at all! Not that anyone's ever found the magical pot of gold yet - but what if this was supposed to be the year?
I love that that writer includes an "About Leprechauns" page at the end of her tale. It begins with, "According to legend, the leprechaun is a tiny elf, found only in Ireland..." She mentions a "leprechaun law" about when one might find one of the tiny beings as well. And if the little ones want to go looking for a few of the little guys, there's even some advice about where to look and what to listen for! I love these kinds of folktales.
I'm rating THAT'S WHAT LEPRECAUNS DO by Eve Bunting at 5-stars because I love switching from adulthood viewpoints to a child's point of view sometimes. From that viewpoint (which is a more fun and creative view anyway!), it must get those 5 well-earned stars! I hope you will get hold of the book somehow and read it to a little one in your life. Not a long read, but a fun one! (Maybe you could also go looking for leprechauns afterward with the child... even if you're not in Ireland - perhaps a few of them are touring more distant green, flowery lands! Just the looking-for would be fun for a kid /with a kid.)
I love that that writer includes an "About Leprechauns" page at the end of her tale. It begins with, "According to legend, the leprechaun is a tiny elf, found only in Ireland..." She mentions a "leprechaun law" about when one might find one of the tiny beings as well. And if the little ones want to go looking for a few of the little guys, there's even some advice about where to look and what to listen for! I love these kinds of folktales.
I'm rating THAT'S WHAT LEPRECAUNS DO by Eve Bunting at 5-stars because I love switching from adulthood viewpoints to a child's point of view sometimes. From that viewpoint (which is a more fun and creative view anyway!), it must get those 5 well-earned stars! I hope you will get hold of the book somehow and read it to a little one in your life. Not a long read, but a fun one! (Maybe you could also go looking for leprechauns afterward with the child... even if you're not in Ireland - perhaps a few of them are touring more distant green, flowery lands! Just the looking-for would be fun for a kid /with a kid.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews