“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.” — BooklistA Cheery picture book, with the artist using the lighter, brighter side of his palette….Attractive and amusing.” — Kirkus Reviews
About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato
“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.” — BooklistA Cheery picture book, with the artist using the lighter, brighter side of his palette….Attractive and amusing.” — Kirkus Reviews
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
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
