Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

by Tomie dePaola

Saints preserve us! Just when his poor wife's back gives out, lucky Jamie O'Rourke — the laziest man in all of Ireland — traps himself a leprechaun, from whom he wins a single wish. What does Jamie wish for? All the potatoes he can eat. But this time Jamie may have bitten off more than he can chew, in this colorful Irish folktale filled with humor and a touch of blarney, too!

"Delightful…perfect for St. Patty's Day storytelling." — Children's Book Review Service

"This inspired Irish folktale dearly illustrates that taking the easy way out is sometimes more trouble than it's worth... dePaola's characteristic homespun style and round, childlike faces add plenty of zip to this silly story." — Publishers Weekly

Ages: 6, 7, 5
Interest Level: Grades K - 2
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7
Lexile Measure: 660L
DRA: 20
Guided Reading: L
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Number of Pages: 1
Genre: Folktales, Fables, Folk Tales and Myths

About the Author

Tomie dePaola Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut in 1934. At age 4, he knew he wanted to become a writer and an illustrator. His mother was an avid book lover and read to him and his brother often. As a child, dePaola would illustrate the books his mother read to him.