How To Catch a Leprechaun

K-Gr 2—It's Saint Patrick's Day, and a leprechaun is on the loose! He's full of mischievous pranks and runs from house to house, playing tricks wherever he goes. If you're not careful, he'll tie your shoelaces together, sprinkle glitter in your hair, or overflow the water in your bathtub. The only way to catch him is in a leprechaun trap. Creative children craft all types, from mousetraps to cages to lassos. Some even enlist their parents' help, building engineering masterpieces that are complete with robots and computers. As the story progresses, the snares become more and more complex, but the leprechaun magically thwarts each one and offers a challenge to viewers, wondering aloud who the child will be who designs a trap that finally captures him. Narrator Qarie Marshall's Irish accent adds authenticity to the rhyming text from Adam Wallace's picture book, and jaunty Irish background music helps round out the production. Appropriately placed sound effects, including squeaking doors, hooting owls, and rattling dishes, enhance the story as well. A diverse cast of children are depicted in Andy Elkerton's colorful illustrations, imparting the idea that this is a holiday everyone can celebrate.