Skip to Main Content (Press Enter) Toggle side nav
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
Add to bookshelf
Add to Bookshelf

Look Inside

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

An Irish Folktale

An Irish Folktale

An Irish Folktale

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola
Read by Jennifer Van Dyck

By Tomie dePaola
Read by Jennifer Van Dyck

Best Seller
Paperback $7.99

Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030 | 4-8 years *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

Ebook $7.99

Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9781101653456 | 3-5 years

Board Book $5.99

Jan 22, 2009 | 3-5 years *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

Audiobook Download $5.00

Feb 06, 2018 | 9 Minutes | 4-8 years

All Formats
+
    Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
    Paperback $7.99
    Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030
    *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (3) +

    Paperback
    –

    • Paperback $7.99

      Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030 | 4-8 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

      *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook

      Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9781101653456 | 3-5 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Board Book
    +

    • Board Book $5.99

      Jan 22, 2009 | ISBN 9780448450902 | 3-5 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

      *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

    Audio
    +

    • Audiobook Download

      Feb 06, 2018 | ISBN 9780525594574 | 4-8 years

      9 Minutes

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    A hilarious read-aloud inspired by Irish folklore that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, featuring colorful artwork in Tomie dePaola’s signature style.

    Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    A hilarious read-aloud inspired by Irish folklore that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, featuring colorful artwork in Tomie dePaola’s signature style.

    Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    “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

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    My First Thanksgiving
    My First Halloween
    My First Easter
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    My First Thanksgiving
    My First Halloween
    My First Easter
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    My First Thanksgiving
    My First Halloween
    My First Easter
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    My First Thanksgiving
    My First Halloween
    My First Easter
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the… More about Tomie dePaola

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Picture Books

    Paperback | $7.99
    Published by Puffin Books
    Jan 27, 1997 | 32 Pages | 8 x 10 | 4-8 years | ISBN 9780698116030

    Category: Children’s Books

    Ebook | $7.99
    Published by Grosset & Dunlap
    Jan 27, 1997 | 12 Pages | 3-5 years | ISBN 9781101653456

    Category: Children’s Board Books

    Board Book | $5.99
    Published by Grosset & Dunlap
    Jan 22, 2009 | 14 Pages | 8 x 7-1/2 | 3-5 years | ISBN 9780448450902

    Category: Children’s Books | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $5.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Feb 06, 2018 | 9 Minutes | 4-8 years | ISBN 9780525594574

    Inspired by Your Browsing History

    Buy other books like Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    ‹ ›
    Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad (Little Critter)
    Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad (Little Critter)
    Mercer Mayer
    The Legend of the Poinsettia
    The Legend of the Poinsettia
    Tomie dePaola
    Madeline's Christmas
    Madeline’s Christmas
    Ludwig Bemelmans
    Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
    Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
    Russell Hoban
    The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet
    The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet
    Deborah Hautzig
    Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
    Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
    Robert Barry
    The Story of Ferdinand
    The Story of Ferdinand
    Munro Leaf
    The Berenstain Bears' Merry Christmas (Berenstain Bears)
    The Berenstain Bears’ Merry Christmas (Berenstain Bears)
    Stan Berenstain
    The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
    The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
    Gloria Houston
    Goldilocks and the Three Bears
    Goldilocks and the Three Bears
    Jan Brett
    The Bee Tree
    The Bee Tree
    Patricia Polacco
    Bringing In the New Year
    Bringing In the New Year
    Grace Lin
    Too Many Tamales
    Too Many Tamales
    Gary Soto
    The Three Snow Bears
    The Three Snow Bears
    Jan Brett
    Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
    Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
    Verna Aardema
    Strega Nona, Her Story
    Strega Nona, Her Story
    Tomie dePaola
    The Tale of Peter Rabbit
    The Tale of Peter Rabbit
    Beatrix Potter
    When Santa Was a Baby
    When Santa Was a Baby
    Linda Bailey
    Welcome Comfort
    Welcome Comfort
    Patricia Polacco
    Santa's Stuck
    Santa’s Stuck
    Rhonda Greene
    Strega Nona's Harvest
    Strega Nona’s Harvest
    Tomie dePaola
    Millions of Cats (Gift Edition)
    Millions of Cats (Gift Edition)
    Wanda Gág
    An Orange for Frankie
    An Orange for Frankie
    Patricia Polacco
    Joy to the World
    Joy to the World
    Tomie dePaola
    The Little Island
    The Little Island
    Margaret Wise Brown
    The Kitchen Knight
    The Kitchen Knight
    Margaret Hodges
    The Great Spruce
    The Great Spruce
    John Duvall
    Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama
    Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama
    Selina Alko
    Christmas Tapestry
    Christmas Tapestry
    Patricia Polacco
    Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
    Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
    Maudie Powell-Tuck
    The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear
    The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear
    Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
    Annie and the Wild Animals
    Annie and the Wild Animals
    Jan Brett

    Praise

    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

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
    Get the latest updates from Tomie dePaola
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    By clicking SIGN UP, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
    Dismiss
    Thanks!
    Something awesome is on its way.
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Brightly

    Raise kids who love to read
    Today's Top Books

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?
    An online magazine for today’s home cook

    TASTE

    An online magazine for today’s home cook