Traveling Tom and the Leprechaun Book

Like many before him, Tom, a traveling minstrel, has fallen in love at first sight with the beautiful princess Kathleen. But Kathleen has vowed only to marry the man who can win a leprechaun's pot of gold. Tom sets out with a clever plan to fool a leprechaun into giving up his fortune. Upon meeting one of the fair folk, Tom charms him with songs and stories. As it turns out, however, Tom's tales hold more truth than trick.

Children's Literature

Princess Kathleen has no particular interest in getting married. However, her father is worried and people are beginning to talk and so Kathleen agrees: She will marry. But she will only marry a man who is able to win a leprechaun's pot of gold in one day. Kathleen does not think this is going to happen—winning a leprechaun's pot of gold is no easy matter—but if it does, she knows her husband will have to be a sharp-witted man with a good sense of humor. Time passes and soon Tom the minstrel comes to the kingdom. Seeing the fair Kathleen and hearing of her vow, Tom decides to try his hand at the challenge. Is Tom up to the task? How will he contend with the dedicated leprechaun? Will he win the hand of the fair Kathleen? If he does, will he even want it? The lilt of Teresa Bateman's brogue comes easily through the text of this charming tale and is visually mirrored in Melisande Potter's delightful gouache, ink, and collage illustrations.