TEN LITTLE LEPRECHAUNS

Beginning with 10 and counting down to one, a group of leprechauns have scampish fun.

St. Patrick’s Day is looming, and the leprechauns are ready for some mischief, whether that means splattering food in an unsuspecting family’s kitchen or hiding pots of gold in secret locations. Bouncing along at a jaunty rhyming clip, Murphy’s text follows these rascals through all kinds of scenarios, beginning in a wooded scene, complete with a rainbow and tufts of clover, where the titular characters are hiding. “Legend says leprechauns love to frolic and play. / How many can you count on this lucky day?” Readers will be eager to point tiny fingers at the green-clad pals (some of whom are actually tricky to spot). Then, on each subsequent spread, one goes missing. “Two little leprechauns picking wild shamrocks. / One fell in and soaked his socks!” In the end, when one is left alone, they all come back to celebrate together. The leprechauns are a diverse bunch, varying in skin tone; several present as female. McWilliam infuses these tiny creatures with energy, making them leap, tumble, and splash, all while winking and nodding at readers to draw them in.

A sprightly holiday concept book that doubles as a seek-and-find activity.