Embracing Irish Culture and Folklore to Craft an Engaging Children’s Book
Every March 17, people of all ages can celebrate all that St. Patrick’s Day has to offer. While it is commonly associated with drinking beer and partying, St. Patrick’s Day has its roots deep in Irish culture. Even the youngest children can find something about the day to enjoy and celebrate.
St. Patrick’s Day is full of imagery and lore that are perfect for writing about. It is the feast day for a real-life saint, Patrick, so it is based in religious traditions. However, you do not have to be religious to appreciate all that March 17 has to offer. From St. Patrick’s life to modern-day stories about “the luck of the Irish,” there is a whole world to explore. Literature is a unique creative outlet to dig into Irish culture and all that St. Patrick’s Day has to offer.
The Real St. Patrick
Who was the real-life St. Patrick who is celebrated on March 17? Born in the fifth century, St. Patrick was from Britain. Later in life as a missionary, he traveled to Ireland to spread Christianity. He is largely seen as the person most responsible for making Christianity prevalent in Ireland. In the Church, March 17 is St. Patrick’s feast day, which is the day dedicated to celebrating holy figures.
While never formally canonized as a saint (he died before this was common practice), he is regarded as one. As the patron saint of Ireland, he is a revered figure for people of Irish descent. Even though St. Patrick is a Christian figure, celebrations of his life can be secular and focus on Irish culture. Different places around the world vary in how they celebrate on March 17.
Images of Irish Folklore
Celebrating Irish folklore is the most common way people observe St. Patrick’s Day. Instead of focusing on St. Patrick’s Christian missionary work, many celebrations focus on the more fantastical elements of his story.
One of the most common stories told about St. Patrick is that he purged Ireland of all snakes. This tale has spread because there are no native snake species in Ireland. While he certainly did not actually do this, the story holds spiritual significance for Ireland. Snakes are often seen as a sinister symbol in Christian teachings.
Shamrocks are another significant feature of Irish folklore. Easily recognizable for their three-leafed structure and bright green color, shamrocks are a symbol of Ireland and luck. They are extremely common across Ireland’s green landscape. St. Patrick is said to have used shamrocks in his Christian teachings, with each leaf of a shamrock representing one part of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, shamrocks are an indispensable element of St. Patrick’s Day. Four-leafed clovers are rare variations of a shamrock that are seen as a good-luck charm.
Leprechauns are a symbol of Irish folklore that do not have any connection to St. Patrick. They are often pictured as short, mythical creatures in the form of a man with red hair and green clothes. Leprechauns are known to have playful attitudes and play pranks on unsuspecting mortals. The most famous leprechaun trick is leaving a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday for all ages. While many adults have fun drinking beer and going to parties, children can also have their own festivities. Whether it is a party at school or celebrating at home, St. Patrick’s Day books are a great addition. Irish folklore leans heavily into fantastical elements, which is perfect for children’s literature. Any book can cover any or all of the amazing things Irish culture has to share with the world.
In addition to the whimsy inherent in St. Patrick’s Day, children’s books can really showcase the color green. In picture books, this can be obviously implemented with pages covered in green. In books for older children, the cover can have a green design that sets the tone.
There is not a single genre that a St. Patrick’s Day book has to stay within. It can be about celebrating the day itself or about Irish culture. From fantasy stories about mischievous leprechauns to heartwarming stories about lucky people, there is something for everyone in these books.
