Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato: An Irish Folktale

by Tomie dePaola Narrated by Jennifer Van Dyck

Overview

"My Irish grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Downey, was a great storyteller. I loved his rendition of The Animal Fair and his explanation of why he was bald (that*will remain a personal secret). I never tired of sitting on his knee-and later, when I was a bit too big, sitting at his feet with one of my baby sisters on his knee-listening to his wonderful tall tales.

Among the stories I loved the best were the ones about the Irish-and the Downey family in particular. In those tales, I'm afraid, "dramatic flair" and artistic liberties took over for fact. But as any good storyteller knows, to embellish is to make the tale interesting, especially to a young Tomie.

When I read the short tale that inspired Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato, I swear I could hear my grandfather Tom Downey whispering in my ear, "Jamie O'Rourke was the laziest man...". Now I hope that the next generation, sitting on someone's knees or at someone's feet, will hear the words just as I did." -Tomie dePaola

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This inspired Irish folktale clearly illustrates that taking the easy way out of a situation is sometimes more trouble than it's worth. Potato farmer Jamie O'Rourke, ``the laziest man in all of Ireland,'' is unfortunately not the brightest of men either. The prospect of a harsh and foodless winter, due to meager crops, and the ceaseless nagging of his hardworking wife impel Jamie to the church to pray for help. As Irish luck would have it, Jamie happens upon and captures a leprechaun who cunningly offers magic potato seeds instead of the traditional pot of gold. The resulting colossal spud feeds the O'Rourkes and the other villagers far longer than anyone could have imagined. Although the comical tone works well here, readers may be surprised that Jamie is rewarded for being lazy. Thatched-roof cottages, stone hedges and sheep dot the green landscape, depicting rustic life on the Emerald Isle. DePaola's distinctive homespun style and genial gentry round, child like faces add plenty of zip to this silly story. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3 --dePaola's new picture book pays tribute to the other side of his heritage: the Irish. Adapted from an unspecified folktale, the story follows the adventures of Jamie O'Rourke, ``the laziest man in all of Ireland,'' and his long-suffering wife, Eileen. When Eileen's bad back prevents her from harvesting the potato crop, Jamie is convinced that he's in imminent danger of starvation. He hurries off to church, eager to make his confession before the inevitable end, but along the way he stumbles upon a leprechaun. Overjoyed by his good luck, Jamie accepts a magical potato seed in place of the customary pot of gold. Despite this unorthodox gift, he finds that his fortunes have been made by the encounter--in a roundabout and humorous sort of way. The text has traditional folklore conventions: exaggerated, yet flat, characters; a tricky plot; and, of course, a happy ending. dePaola's illustrations are attractive as always, although their static look is sometimes at odds with the tall-tale flavor of the narrative. However, variations in the placement of text and pictures, as well as varying sizes of illustrations, help to create additional interest. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

From the Publisher

Praise for Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato:

"This delightful Irish tale is just perfect for St. Patty's day storytelling." —Children's Book Review Service

"This inspired Irish folktale clearly 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

"Illustrated in dePaola's signature style, this has an inviting look. Buoyant watercolors are framed by thin orange borders . . . An engaging read-aloud choice for St. Patrick's Day." —Booklist

"A cheery picture book, with the artist using the lighter, brighter side of his palette . . . Attractive and amusing." —Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169175677
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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