Lauren Ducommun

Here are some of our favorite picture books about Saint Patrick, that are great to read together as a family for Saint Patrick’s Day!

Picture Books about Saint Patrick:

Short and poetic, Saint Patrick the Forgiver by Ned Bustard is a beautiful introduction to Saint Patrick. This book does not feel like a textbook at all, and focuses on how the gospel transformed Patrick’s life. Jesus is mentioned several times as “Christ” and “the Son”, and Bustard even includes quotes from Patrick’s famous prayer: “Christ with me, Christ before me.”

You can read the full book review here.

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Tomie dePaola writes from a secular/Catholic heritage perspective, but still shares how Patrick took the word of God to Ireland. The illustrations help tell the story, which focuses more on the miraculous events and visions in Patrick’s life. At the end of the picture book, dePaola shares several of the legends about Patrick, including the one about repelling snakes from Ireland. Jesus is only mentioned as “the Son” in the legend about the Shamrock–which Patrick used to explain the Trinity.

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St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons gives a background into the holiday and how it is celebrated across the United States. This is a picture book more based on facts, as is expected with a. Gail Gibbons book. God is mentioned, but Jesus is not. After a short biography on Patrick, she explains various ways Irish and Americans have celebrated the holiday over history. I would say this picture book leans more on the holiday, than the person.

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Other books:

I’ve yet to read these personally, but they’ve come highly recommended!