[(Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk : An Irish Tale)] [By (author) Gerald McDermott] published on

by Gerald McDermott

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. When the evil McGoons trick Tim O'Toole out of his fortune, he teams up with his benefactors, the Little People, to regain his treasure.

Genres: Picture Books, Ireland, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Gerald McDermott is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and an expert on mythology. His work often combines bright colors and styles with ancient imagery.

He has created more than 25 books and animated films. His first book, Anansi the Spider, was awarded a Caldecott Honor, and he’s since won the Caldecott Medal for Arrow to the Sun and another Caldecott Honor.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting tale Gerald is telling here. Tim is poor and his family is hungry. Also, Tim is not the brightest there is. He goes looking for work and none is to be had. He takes a nap next to a hollow and wakes to the merry music of the wee folk. If you spy them, they are bound to give you a bounty. So, they merrily give Tim a goose that lays Golden eggs. Now, here is the important part. They told him to go straight home and tell not a soul. Very good advice. Well, Tim stops at a neighbors house and has to brag about what happened. You can imagine that those neighbors switched out that goose lickety split. Tim gets home with a goose that won’t lay. Here’s the interesting part - he gets angry at the Wee folk instead of thinking it was his fault. He stomps back and the Wee folk aren’t offended, no; they smile and give him another gift. Tim has learned nothing and repeats the same thing over again. Now the wee folk are smart and they figure out that Tim blabbed his mouth, so they correct the problem for him.

I think the lesson here is to follow instructions. When someone is giving you a gift, it is important to listen to how it works and the advice you give. If you ask me, it is simply lucky that the wee folk were kind to Tim after he ignored their warnings.

The artwork is very different for Gerald in this story. I almost can’t tell it’s his work. I thought the little story was cute and very green like the emerald isle.

The nephew thought the wee folk were a happy and funny lot. He liked them and wanted to be able to dance with them too. He gave this story 4 stars. He said they looked like the Lucky Charm guy who is one of his favorite cereals.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

Cute little tale but Oh, Tim! WHY didn't you listen to the Wee Folk in the first place!? (I think that's part of what would make this fun for kids, though--isn't it fun to be smarter than the grown-ups in books!?)

I'm thinking I recently read a Jewish version of this tale, too. Someone gets a magic gift, is supposed to keep it hush-hush, can't help spilling the beans to a neighbor who then surreptitiously switches the true gift for a non-magical look-alike... Probably a common motif... This one does have a good Irish feel, though, and is perfect for St. Patrick's Day with the "wee folk."

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't like a folk tale in which the mc gets the precious gift for no reason. Nor can I accept lack of source notes, at the very least. There's nothing particularly Irish about this tale except that the author decided to set it there. And anyway, leprechauns are more like tricksters... there's no way Tim would get anything from them, actually.

[Kristine]

A Poor Irishman has Magical Things by the “Wee Folk”. He must keep his Good Fortune away from the Greedy McGoons.

This book is so Cool 😎. I love the cover and the story. I have gotten into finding difficult Fairy Tale Books this Week.

I decided to use my App for Finding Free Library Stands. This is such a Great Idea.

I went to 5 I believe. I found so many different and interesting books. Organized the Books hoping people would be more interested. Certain Areas are more improvised and diverse. There are a few Children’s Books, but really that is what I’m looking to do, get more books Kids and Adults actually Want To Read in the Summer. I have many to donate, but not to many Children’s Books. I also need to find out what books POC, especially kids of all ages are really interested in Reading. I definitely have some and will donate those. Then maybe I can Buy some Since when a Person starts Reading it Can Open Their World. 💕📚

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Irish folk lore and tales. This story serves the moral that you shouldn't boast about the ways you gain profit lest another takes it from you for their own service. And also, the moral that the cottage always gets full when you have but it remains empty when there is none to be had.

[Amber Escamilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This is so cute! I love Irish stories and especially about "Wee folk" aka leprechauns. This is a great read for little ones. :)

[Carolyn Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed "Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk", but I don't know if it fully follows the folktale archetype. The stories doesn't set out to teach something from the start. The story reads more like a fairy tale. It follows a man who begins unlucky and then lives among the "wee people", who bring him grandiose gifts. I enjoyed it, but it doesn't fully achieve what it sets out to. The story was however entertaining and well written.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect story to be read on St. Patty's day. About a foolish man and how the wee folk made him rich.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Irish folk tale of magic and fantasy involving poor Tim O'Toole as he looks for work to support and provide for his family. When he stumbles upon the wee folk his luck changes as they help him in his plight.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many, many (many) stories for kids, especially fairy tales, have had their violence removed or softened. While this is an old, old habit among some, and it makes sense, the fact is that children are bloodthirsty critters and never mind seeing a little fictional blood shed so long as it's shed by the deserving.

Which is what happens here. Tim O'Toole has no luck, and apparently less sense, because the first bit of luck he ever had in his life was seeing the leprechauns and getting the goose that lays the golden eggs from them - and then the fool bragged about it on the way home, and was tricked into going home with a regular goose instead. (Now, really, a regular goose will keep you fed and protect your farm, so that's not such a great loss, but all the same it must be considered a bit of a disappointment.) And when he demands repayment from the leprechauns and gets a magic tablecloth to keep him fed, he makes the same stupid mistake all over again!

Luckily, they're cleverer than he is, and his next gift is a hat. Just a hat. And when poor Tim's greedy neighbors go to steal it... well... let's just say that lots of little men pouring out of a hat and beating you black and blue will teach you a lesson you won't forget in a hurry!

Great story, but if you're put off by a small amount of casual violence please - read before you buy.

[Breanna Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk" written by Gerald McDermott was a well written folktale story that had a wide range of potential readers. This story captivated my attention because I love hearing stories about Leprechauns, and young elementary students always have fun learning about them. This story would be a good book to read with the class around St. Patricks Day, especially if the school that I teach in allows St. Patricks Day parties. This would be a fun book to incorporate into the classroom during this party, that is about luck and can also be used as a life lesson.

Although I enjoyed this story, I do not believe that it fully was a Folktale story because it helped tell a a story while using the unrealistic aspects of the Leprechauns. I thought it was a telling story about how they were poor, and how he searched for fortune and then lost it along the way while he learned about the misfortunes of not trusting certain people, and having them take him for granted. I think it was interesting that the people Tim stayed with, the McGoons, took control of everything that he brought to their house.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little leprechaun story! This could totally be adapted for storytelling out loud. Tim O'Toole keeps receiving rewards from the leprechauns (a goose that lays golden eggs, a magic tablecloth that restocks food,etc), but he keeps bragging about it to the village innkeeper, who keeps switching out his items with non-magical versions. Cute!

[Juliana Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute Irish storybook follows the lines of a noodlehead or numbskull folktale from the goofy contrast of the silly main character to the wise little leprechauns. The main character's constant mistake of trusting the McGoons (ironic name too) leave him empty handed and dumbfounded throughout the tale. I found it pretty interesting that they explained the lore of leprechauns without ever saying their name. It can also be recognized as a foltale due to the static characterization; the main character was a numbskull, the "wee folk" were wise and jokesters. None of this changed throughout this story.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poor and foolish man sets out to make his fortune, receives magical gifts from the Wee Folk, and sets off home. But he must spend each night with the greedy McGoons and foolishly boasts to them of his gifts, which the McGoons promptly steal without a qualm as soon as Tim falls asleep. Eventually, the Wee Folk intervene to punish the McGoons and Tim lives happily ever after. The story is a bit long for preschoolers, but may be suitable for Kindergarten and up. Children will appreciate the repetition and humor in this entertaining Irish tale. A good choice for St. Patrick's Day!

[Carissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tim O'Toole waits until the last minute to find work to feed his family. When he stumbles upon the Wee Folk, he boasts of their gifts despite their warning. I don't particularly understand why he gets a happily ever after. His wife ought to have moved back with her parents until he gets his life straightened out.
If you want to read another book about a lazy person who gets a happy ending, try "Duffy and the Devil".

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but unsure if it was trying to deliver any kind of message. Maybe it was that we should listen better, follow directions and hope there will always be ten little men nearby who can make things right for you again when you do none of the above? All in all I thought it was a cute story and the illustrations were nicely done.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations, but the message was horrible and nothing I really wanted my son to hear; bad character gets rewarded.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. It'd be nice to put in a pile of books for St. Pat's day. Not the best, though. And, definitely NOT Fiona's Luck.

[Inhabiting Books]

The writing is well-done, I just don't care for the story.

[SamZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story with great illustrations! I love the cleverness of the leprechauns, and that they were portrayed as kind rather than the traditional tricky was a nice change.

[Dennis Maney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite kid's books.

[Tanya Turner]

Cute book and a great way to teach not only children but adults also not to trust everyone that you come across.

[Brandielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does it seem like most 'Irish tales' reward stupidity and laziness?

[Jean-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book tells a fun, quick Irish folktale. We read it aloud to complement our middle ages history lesson about the Celts.

[Renee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Could use for Saint Patrick's Day.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was no moral to the story. Nothing to teach my daughter besides a bit of varying vocabulary.

[Vaishali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m lately into the wee folk… this one is simply charming.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 3 out of 5]

💚 Awe the luck of Tim O’Toole. This book is about following directions. Come on Tim O’Toole follow the darn directions. It was a cute enough book but there were small little things that I did not care for. There is a great lesson to be taught about directions.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim O'Toole is a man down on his luck. He stumbles upon a group of “wee folk” who bring him good fortune... but not without some hassle. This is a fun story with nice illustrations. I would have liked some notes providing background on the tale, but other than that, enjoyed.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've had this book for awhile, but where it has gone largely unnoticed by my oldest, my 2 year old became smitten with it this morning. He listened intently, but wanted to flip back and look at the pictures of the wee folk again and again.