St. Patrick's Day in the Morning

Young children hear quite often that they are too small to do some things and this is the case for young Jamie in the book St. Patrick's Day in the Morning written by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Jan Brett.

Jamie is told by his family that he cannot participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade because he is too small to make it to the top of Acorn Hill. Jamie is determined to prove them wrong.

"It's not fair, Nell," Jamie Donovan said to his sheepdog.
"I want to walk in the parade, too. They say I am too small -
that I couldn't get to the top of Acorn Hill alone.
But what do they know?"

With his flute in hand, Jamie and his loyal dog Nell set off together to make their own parade while the village is still asleep. They excitedly greet the morning sun at the TOP of Acorn Hill.

The clever illustrations by Jan Brett are rich in detail but minimal in color highlighting the greens and golds of Ireland and the orange of the flag.

After reading this story in my best Irish accent with an Irish jig playing in the background, Emmy quickly got her flute and made her own parade around the house and up the stairs to the top landing announcing that she had made it to the top of Acorn Hill! Every time she did her parade, my camera was nowhere to be found. I guess a mental snapshot will have to do.

Another great book for St. Patrick's Day is Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato. Read all about it here.

Emmy has decided that leprechauns can be quite mischievous. See what they did to her milk!!!

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Eve Bunting and Jan Brett make a fantastic team. Check out another book, The Valentine Bears, by this "dynamic duo" here.

Circus Parade

Two of Emmy's favorite things, the circus and a parade, are wrapped into one in this book written by Harriet Ziefert with lively illustrations by Tanya Roitman. Circus Parade gives the reader a curbside seat as the performers from the circus march down main street. The text is written in short vignettes with a fun rhythm. Emmy's favorite verse "A-rum-a-tee-tum! A-rum-a-tee-tum!" allows us to really feel the beat as the drums go by. We both love to study the pictures which are so vibrant and seem to jump off of the page.


A great follow up is Donald Crews' book Parade. The simple text and creative illustrations convey the anticipation and enjoyment generated by a parade. It's great to be able to relive an experience that Emmy and I have shared together. As soon as the marching band appears, Emmy will say "Scoot back!" as she recalls how loud the music sounds.