Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
DePaola, Tomie. 1992. JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE BIG POTATO. New York, NY: Penguin. ISBN: 0-698-11603-8.

2. SUMMARY
Jamie O’Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland. He refuses to work and makes Eileen, his long suffering wife, do all the planting, watering and weeding. One day after his wife throws out her back he chances upon a Leprechaun who gives him the opportunity to either take a few pieces of gold or be granted a wish. The leprechaun even suggests that he wish for “the biggest pratie in the world.” Jamie follows the leprechaun’s suggestion only to find that there are problems moving such a large potato. Eventually, at the urging of his wife, Jamie shares his humongous ‘pratie’ with the townsfolk who grow so tired of potatoes by the end of the winter that they promise to provide Jamie and his wife with enough food as long as he doesn’t plant another huge potato.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This interesting little folktale is full of Irish charm as DePaola chooses to use plenty of Irish vernacular in Jamie’s speech patterns and uses the word ‘pratie’ instead of potato. The story does not truly teach any lesson or moral, as Jamie never has to ‘pay’ for his laziness. Like any folktale the characters are broad, the plot is action packed and the ending is happy.

The illustrations are typical of DePaola. The paintings are clear and plain--perhaps a little too pedestrian for a tale including a leprechaun and a giant potato. Each illustration is framed in orange-except those including the giant potato. The illustrations properly exemplify the text but don’t extend it except for the very last picture which suggests the leprechaun might not have been entirely truthful about the amount of gold in his pot.

A satisfying addition to any study of Irish folktales.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews – “As retold here, it makes a cheery picture book, with the artist using the lighter, brighter side of his palette and including some affectionate caricatures of the Irish in his decorative illustrations. Attractive and amusing.”
Horn Book Guide – “An abundance of colorful, folksy illustrations enhances the text.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Could be used as a bridge to begun a discussion in the potato famine.
DePaola, Tomie. JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE POOKA.ISBN 069811924X