Fiona's Luck

Author: Teresa Bateman
Paperback: 32 page(s)
Age Range: 4 - 8
Ontario curriculum: Language - Reading

Book Description:

All the luck in Ireland is locked away, sealed with a spell by the greedy leprechaun king. Fiona, a woman of middling importance but uncommon wit, sets out to bring luck back to Ireland by besting the Leprechaun King in a test of cleverness.

School Library Journal
Using the background of the Irish potato famine, Bateman weaves a tale of Irish history and leprechauns, threads it with optimism, and embroiders it with cleverness and luck. At one time, luck was in abundance in Irelandz - until the leprechaun king got angry at the humans for soaking it all up. Using a spell, he steals it away. The people fall on hard times, and Fiona uses her wits to get it back from the wily king. Murphy's illustrations are richly toned and evocative. Some are spreads, full of color in a folk-art style; on other pages, the smaller spot illustrations highlight the details in the story. Each page is a harmonious blend of artwork and text, which makes the story an engaging read-aloud, and it's also accessible to young readers. Children will love this tale, particularly the facial expressions on Fiona and the small people who surround her, and they'll delight in the young woman's cleverness and quick thinking.