Tim O'Toole and his family were very poor, so his wife makes him go find a way to earn some wages. On his way to find work, Tim finds a group of leprechauns hiding by a hill. There is an old tale that says if you find a leprechaun, you can demand their treasures, so Tim demands a reward for finding them. They give Tim a goose that lays golden eggs. On his way home, Tim stays the night at a neighbors house after bragging about his goose. The neighbors swipe his goose and Tim returns home with a regular goose. The neighbors . also swipe his next gift so the leprechauns come up with a plan to stop them. They hide in a hat and tell Tim to brag about it. When the neighbors attempt to swipe his hat, the leprechauns jump out and beat their shins and ankles. Tim and his family end up with the treasures and live comfortably with unlimited golden eggs, food, and the assistance from the leprechauns in the hat.

I think this book would be appropriate for grades 1st to 3rd. It can be used when the students are learning about folktales, or as an activity for St. Patricks Day. ( )

When the evil McGoons trick Tim O'Toole out of his fortune, he teams up with his benefactors, the Little People, to regain his treasure. McDermott's illustrated books (including Caldecott winner Arrow to the Sun) and animated films have earned him international recognition. Full-color illustrations throughout.

I enjoyed the illustrations, but the message was horrible and nothing I really wanted my son to hear; bad character gets rewarded. ( )

I think this book is great--mainly because it has my name in it!! My students would love it! ( )

Many, many (many) stories for kids, especially fairy tales, have had their violence removed or softened. While this is an old, old habit among some, and it makes sense, the fact is that children are bloodthirsty critters and never mind seeing a little fictional blood shed so long as it's shed by the deserving.

Which is what happens here. Tim O'Toole has no luck, and apparently less sense, because the first bit of luck he ever had in his life was seeing the leprechauns and getting the goose that lays the golden eggs from them - and then the fool bragged about it on the way home, and was tricked into going home with a regular goose instead. (Now, really, a regular goose will keep you fed and protect your farm, so that's not such a great loss, but all the same it must be considered a bit of a disappointment.) And when he demands repayment from the leprechauns and gets a magic tablecloth to keep him fed, he makes the same stupid mistake all over again!

Luckily, they're cleverer than he is, and his next gift is a hat. Just a hat. And when poor Tim's greedy neighbors go to steal it... well... let's just say that lots of little men pouring out of a hat and beating you black and blue will teach you a lesson you won't forget in a hurry!

Great story, but if you're put off by a small amount of casual violence please - read before you buy. ( )