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Tomie dePaola
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Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato Paperback – Picture Book, January 27, 1997

by Tomie dePaola (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 867 ratings
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A hilarious read-aloud inspired by Irish folklore that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, featuring colorful artwork in Tomie dePaola’s signature style.

Jamie O'Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD790L
  6. Dimensions
    8 x 0.13 x 10 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin Books
  8. Publication date
    January 27, 1997
  9. ISBN-10
    0698116038
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0698116030
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato:

"This delightful Irish tale is just perfect for St. Patty's day storytelling." --Children's Book Review Service

"This inspired Irish folktale clearly illustrates that taking the easy way out is sometimes more trouble than it's worth . . . DePaola' s characteristic homespun style and round, childlike faces add plenty of zip to this silly story." --­Publishers Weekly

"Illustrated in dePaola's signature style, this has an inviting look. Buoyant watercolors are framed by thin orange borders . . . An engaging read-aloud choice for St. Patrick's Day." --Booklist

"A cheery picture book, with the artist using the lighter, brighter side of his palette . . . Attractive and amusing." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his "continued distinguished contribution," and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration, and received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for lifetime contribution to children's literature in 2011.
DePaola has published almost 200 children's books in 15 different countries over the past 30 years. Among his most well-known titles are the Strega Nona series, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.
DePaola lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; Reprint edition (January 27, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0698116038
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0698116030
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD790L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.13 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 867 ratings

About the author

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Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola

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"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.

It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.

He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.

Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.

- He has been published for over 30 years.

- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.

- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.

- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:

- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association

- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association

- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution

- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal

- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
867 global ratings
Product Damaged
3 Stars
Product Damaged
Book arrived quickly, however there is damage to the cover. Cute book otherwise, but unacceptable to give as a gift. Requested another be sent, fingers crossed it arrives in better condition.
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Top reviews from the United States

R Sugden
5.0 out of 5 stars A new favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this to add to my St Patrick’s Day book collection, and it was delightful! My kids still ask me to read it months later. The story has a good moral and introduces some ambiguity at the end, which is fun to discuss with an older child (who really tricked who?). Don’t hesitate, just buy it!
3 people found this helpful
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C.B.31
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
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This is a wonderful Irish folktale with adorable illustrations! Makes for a wonderful gift. Shipped fast and not bent at all.
One person found this helpful
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Dulce Donovan
5.0 out of 5 stars Irish Folk Tale
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
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Such a cute book. Wanted to get some Irish books for my two young kids for Saint Patrick Day. I don’t know if they liked them but I did! Haha
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C. H. Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story by Tomie
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023
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Excellent, funny and typical Tomie dePaula humor. Great book for early-mid elementary.
2 people found this helpful
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Owl
4.0 out of 5 stars A plentitude of potato and humor here!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
Pure magic, the watercolor drawings of this book for 2 to 5 year-olds, bringing to life 22 new friends--24 if I include the giant potato and the leprechaun. Set in an Irish-like countryside of about 200 years ago, Tomie dePaola retells an old story that appears in many cultures.

Jamie doesn't like to work; his wife Eileen does what's needed for them to eat. When her back goes out, Jamie fears he'll die from lack of food, so off he goes to get ready for the sad event. On his way to the village, he finds a fairies' shoemaker (the leprechaun) who outsmarts his captor by giving him a seed for the biggest potato on the world, rather than his treasured gold. The blessing becomes first a bane (can't get that veggie out of the ground), then a blessing (the curious villagers help), then a bane (ooops! it blocked the road), then a blessing thanks to quick-witted and kind Eileen (every one can have all they want), then a bane (the villagers eat and eat and eat and eat until they never want to see a potato again), and then a blessing as they offer food for life if Eileen and Jamie plant no more giant potatoes...the big pratie for sure.

The story has a fine lilt of words and as I mentioned, the drawings are wholly charming in DePaola's much-loved style. Is there anything more though to reading children this story?

To me, this is a classic tale of the apparently not-too-bright person--a schlemiel, a trickster, a lazy person---who by a "fortunate misfortune" and a certain talent for keeping on, brings fortune to her/himself and the community. I particularly like that the heroine is the hard-working, cheerful, and very bright Eileen who invites everyone to take all the potato they want, and how the community eventually pitches in to deal with the situations. The children with whom I have read this giggled at the turns of the story and loved the gay illustrations and the rhythm of the tale.

Recommended with delighted enthusiasm for the humor, imagination, and good things to be shared here. It seems to me an opportunity for readers, if they chose, to add some history.
20 people found this helpful
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paul g marx
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have in any Family Library!
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Tomie dePaola is one of our favorite children's authors. We love Clown of God, Strega Nona, Tomie, and others, but Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato may just be our most-loved! I read it to my children, using an Irish dialect, naturally, and now have purchased a new copy to read to the grandchildren. Be sure to ask the children to whom you read it: Who outsmarted whom? Jamie, or the leprechaun?
2 people found this helpful
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A. H. Coleman
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the fact that the reader/listener can sense Jaime's wife's ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
As far as creatvity and originality goes, this is a cute story. I love the fact that the reader/listener can sense Jaime's wife's frustration with him. I love that the villagers worked together to solve a problem. I love the wit the leprechaun displayed. It is true that Jaime did not get a lasting consequence for his slothfulness, but it it is no different than reading a book like 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' where Tom got out of painting the fence white because he outwitted his friends. There are people like this my friends. It is just a part of life. We just have to be aware about our gullibility. Also, it isn't like the village community got nothing in return for their industry. It is all about perspective. I disagree with the reviewer who stated that it was an awful book.
6 people found this helpful
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kls0669
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful funny tale!
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022
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Love this wonderful children’s story!! Jamie O’Rourke is a funny character and it’s a great Irish tale! Tommy DePaola never fails to entertain in all of his stories!!! Be sure to read it with an Irish brogue!!!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ruth Noble
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2024
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Beautifully told and illustrated and a great story for all ages!
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S H
5.0 out of 5 stars An amusing tale
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2017
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I had been looking for a book like this to bring home from Ireland for my grandson. I came home and found exactly what I wanted on Amazon. A simple but amusing story, well illustrated.
One person found this helpful
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Jessi E
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect lil book !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
I just adore this author and happy the story came in board book format.
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RS
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Great story, written in a lively fashion
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Fiona ni Giollarua
1.0 out of 5 stars Not adequately described
Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2024
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This is a cardboard book for toddlers...but they don't tell you that. Not suitable for older kids in primary school.
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