The Leprechaun in the Basement

It's St. Patrick's Day, but Michael McKeever has run out of luck. His dad has lost his job, the hot water heater is broken, and now his baseball shoes are falling apart. He and his dad never go out and "throw a few" like they used to, and his mom says they have to learn to Make Do. So when he accidentally discovers a leprechaun in the basement, Michael is sure his luck has changed. Unfortunately, he didn't count on this leprechaun being quite so cantankerous. Any child who has felt the pinch of hard times will relate to Michael's anxiety. And those who have become fretful from boredom will know just how "O'Leary" the leprechaun feels. If any child is fortunate enough to have experienced none of the above, these characters provide a great lesson in empathy--there's always more to a person than meets the eye. (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie Coulter