Are you looking for the perfect books for St. Patrick’s Day to share with your elementary students? Whether you’re learning about Irish folklore, chasing mischievous leprechauns, or studying the history behind the holiday, these stories will bring the magic of St. Patrick’s Day to life! In this post, you’ll find a list of must-read books for St Patrick’s Day along with fun, hands-on activities to make reading even more exciting. Get ready to add a little luck and learning to your classroom or home library this March!

If you’re looking for low-prep resources to complement these books for St Patrick’s Day, I’ve included some of my favorites that pair perfectly with St. Patrick’s Day themes!

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Books for St Patrick’s Day

1. How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace This fun, rhyming book for St Patrick’s Day follows a sneaky leprechaun who dodges all sorts of clever traps set by kids trying to catch him. Will anyone succeed?

Here are some activities to accompany How to Catch a Leprechaun:

• STEM Challenge – Have students design and build their own leprechaun traps using craft materials like popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and gold coins.
• Creative Writing – Ask students to write a story about what happens if they actually catch a leprechaun!

2. Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola Lazy Jamie O’Rourke, the laziest man in Ireland, tricks a leprechaun into giving him a magical potato that grows to an enormous size. But soon, the oversized potato causes more problems than he expected!

Here are some activities to accompany Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato:

• Math Connection – Weigh different potatoes and compare their sizes. Have students estimate and measure them using rulers and scales.
• Cause & Effect Activity – Have students sequence the story’s events and complete a cause-and-effect activity to discuss how Jamie’s choices led to unexpected consequences.

3. The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing In this fun twist on The Night Before Christmas, two kids set up traps to catch a leprechaun. When they actually succeed, they’re in for a big surprise!

Here are some activities to accompany The Night Before St Patrick’s Day:

• Sequencing Activity – Have students retell the story using a sequence map with the beginning, middle, and end.
• Write Your Own Version – Have students rewrite the story as “The Night After St. Patrick’s Day” and imagine what happens next.

4. Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman When a greedy leprechaun king steals all of Ireland’s luck, a clever girl named Fiona outsmarts him to bring luck back to the land. This story celebrates wit and perseverance.

Here are some activities to accompany Fiona’s Luck:

• Character Traits Activity – Discuss Fiona’s cleverness and have students describe what traits made her successful in outsmarting the leprechaun king.
• Lucky Charm Craft – Have students design and create their own “lucky charm” using paper, beads, or other craft materials.

5. Leprechaun in Late Winter (Magic Tree House #43) by Mary Pope Osborne Jack and Annie travel back in time to 19th-century Ireland, where they help a girl named Augusta find her magic and inspire her to become a famous writer.

Here are some activities to accompany Leprechaun in Late Winter (Magic Tree House #43):

• Research Project – Have students research Irish folklore and legends about leprechauns and share their findings.
• Drawing & Writing – Have students illustrate and write about what they would do if they met a real leprechaun.

6. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola This beautifully illustrated book tells the true story of St. Patrick. It also includes legends associated with him.

Here are some activities to accompany Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland:

• Biography Timeline – Have students create a timeline of St. Patrick’s life and major events.
• Shamrock Symbolism – Discuss the meaning of the shamrock in the story and let students create their own shamrock crafts.

7. That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting Three mischievous leprechauns are on a mission to bury their pot of gold before a rainbow appears, but along the way, they can’t resist playing a few tricks!

Here are some activities to accompany That’s What Leprechauns Do:

• Leprechaun Mischief Writing – Have students write a short story about a day in the life of a leprechaun playing tricks.
• Treasure Hunt – Set up a scavenger hunt around the classroom with gold coins or clues leading to a “pot of gold” (prizes, stickers, or small treats).

Resources for St Patrick’s Day

March Story Starters: Finish the Story Writing Prompts (Recently Updated!)

If you’re reading books for St Patrick’s Day and want to do some creative writing, these March-themed story starters are a great way to get students’ imaginations flowing! Recently updated with fresh prompts, this resource encourages kids to finish the story in their own words—perfect for writing centers, early finishers, or independent practice. Whether they’re crafting a leprechaun’s adventure or inventing their own March-themed tale, these prompts make writing fun and engaging.

March Color by Code: Frequently Confused Words – St. Patrick’s Day Theme

Are you looking for a fun way to reinforce language skills while celebrating books for St Patrick’s Day? This March Color by Code activity helps students practice commonly confused words while adding a bit of holiday excitement to your lessons. As they work through tricky word pairs, they’ll reveal festive St. Patrick’s Day-themed pictures, making grammar practice engaging and rewarding. It’s an easy, no-prep activity that’s perfect for morning work, literacy centers, or early finishers!

March-themed Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions

If you’re incorporating books for St Patrick’s Day into your lesson plans, adding some themed reading practice can make the holiday even more meaningful! These March-themed reading comprehension passages feature engaging topics—including St. Patrick’s Day—along with thoughtful comprehension questions to help students build key reading skills. Whether you use them for morning work, small groups, or independent practice, they’re a simple way to keep students reading and thinking all month long.

March Fast Finisher Activities: ELA and Critical Thinking

If you’re looking for a simple way to keep students engaged after finishing their work, these March Fast Finisher Activities are a great option! Packed with ELA and critical thinking challenges, they’re perfect for early finishers, morning work, or even small group activities. With a mix of fun and skill-building exercises, these no-prep activities make it easy to keep learning going all month long—especially when paired with your favorite books for St Patrick’s Day!

With the right books for St Patrick’s Day, it can be a time for fun, learning, and creativity in your classroom. Whether your students are trapping leprechauns, solving tricky word challenges, or finishing an imaginative story, these easy-to-use activities will keep them excited and engaged all March long! If you want to keep reading about St Patrick’s Day Activities for School make sure to check out this blog post.

Which books for St Patrick’s Day and activities do you love using in your classroom? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your ideas!