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WELCOME TO THE rival towns of Tralee and Tralah, where the annual St. Patrick’s Day decorating contest is under way. Every year, Tralah defeats Tralee. This year, though, little Fiona Riley has a wonderful idea that will help Tralee win the contest for sure. But neither town has counted on a stranger arriving—a funny little man with pointed ears and boots trimmed with bells—who will turn the contest upside down!
Are decorations, parties and all the trimmings what make a holiday special? Wojciechowski (The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey) explores this notion in a lively original folktale about compassion and cooperation-with a bit o' Irish magic thrown in. For years the villages of Tralee and Tralah have competed in the annual St. Patrick's Day decorating contest. And never yet has Tralee claimed the gold shamrock given to the winner. But six-year-old Fiona Riley has a sure-fire plan. In the midst of the villages' flurry of preparations, however, "a little man on a large horse" gallops into the two towns seeking help to rescue his stranded herd of cows. The residents of Tralah refuse to break from their decorating and soundly turn the man away. Crossing the meadow, the man finds an ally in Fiona Riley, who rallies her Tralee neighbors to his aid. Rewarded for their kindness, the people of Tralee win the contest in a most satisfying finish. The author's smooth storytelling and steady pace create a vivid setting, and her tale delivers a solid, never treacly message. In boldly colored acrylics, Curry (The Bootmaker and the Elves) creates a bucolic Old World mood using simple, rounded shapes, which include expanses of emerald green hillside. His distinctive technique produces a striking texture, sometimes akin to oil or pastel on a slightly rough canvas, sometimes tapestry-like and, in other instances, crisp and smooth. All told, an arresting series of compositions. Ages 5-8. (Jan.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Tisch Didier
reviewed Fine St. Patrick's Day on March 13, 2020
Fine St. Patrick's Day
When I cracked this open and read the competing towns of Tralah and Tralee I was thinking oh no, this sounds like The Christmas Witch, with two weird-sounding rival towns, which I didn't enjoy.
Thankfully this ended up being a lot better than that.
I liked the Irish sayings and language, with 'tis, and sure and begorra.
I thought this was medieval, by the homes and clothing, so I was surprised when it had modern things in it, like cardboard, a hardware store, & bicycles. It didn't fit, and felt very out of place. This did not look like a modern Irish setting.
The two towns of Tralah and Tralee were preparing for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day decorating competition.
Amidst planning for it, a little man shows up, clearly a leprechaun, and asks Tralah for help getting his cows out of the mud. He's turned away at every house he comes to.
He goes to Tralee to a woman painting her house. She goes to the town square and summons the townspeople.
They're first concerned about the contest, but little Fiona says they need to help the cows.
They spend the rest of the evening helping him get his cows out of the muddy river. They didn't have any time left to paint.
The mayor goes to sleep saying they'll win next year.
But, to their surprise, they wake up to find the town painted.
The county judge awards them the golden shamrock trophy for the first time.
They eat their supper of lamb and boiled potatoes,& think to invite the stranger. All they find is a golden cowbell by the river.
Fiona remembered he told her by the river "you have already won."
The scale of Fiona and the little man were off. Both were taller than they should have been.
That evening, as the sun set, the green paint faded& everything turned to normal. Clearly the work of magic.
The next year, before the competition Fiona had another idea. The town never entered the competition again. They would polish the trophy and cowbell in the trophy case in the town hall, decorate their town and eat lamb and boiler potatoes.
It was a touching ending, though I had hoped the little man would show up again.
It was a lesson that it's not all about winning.
They seemed to realize the true meaning of the holiday, to celebrate with each other, and not compete with other people.
2.5 stars
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