Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
If I knew more about wordpress, I could change this page to green… or maybe catch a media leprechaun who would have to do my bidding! Speaking of catching a leprechaun, I’d like to share one of my favorite leprechaun stories with you.
Leprechauns Never Lie!
Written and illustrated by Lorna Balian, this is a a lively little story about a girl, named Ninny Nanny, who lives with her Gram. They were very poor, but Ninny Nanny was lazy and Gram was old, and there was nothing but ‘blathering’ between them. One day Ninny Nanny decides to go out and catch a leprechaun… it was as easy as falling off a log. However, getting him to tell them where he has hidden his gold is not as easy, as the leprechaun proves to be a trickster.
The original version was published in 1980. I love this version because the illustrations are in two-tone browns with only a wisp of green for the leprechaun. The children love watching the leprechaun escape with just a flash of green across the page. The more recent versions are in full color, and although the story is just as enchanting, I feel like I’m missing some of the magic of the original.
You MUST practice your Irish brogue before reading this story aloud. Generally, I just channel the Lucky Charms leprechaun, Lucky. Take a few practice shots at ‘They’re magically delicious!’. It works pretty well, and seriously once you get started reading this story orally, the accent almost flows naturally! But, if you’d like the real lesson in brogue watch this video.
http://www.howcast.com/videos/500499-How-to-Do-an-Irish-Accent-aka-Brogue-Accent-Training
Good Luck in Catching that Leprechaun Readers!
(And if you do, good luck in keeping him.)
Juliana Lee 
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