St Patrick's Day and the Celts

St. Patrick's Day holds a special place in my heart. It's my birthday! So, I'm a little biased towards it. However, it's also a day that many of Scots-Irish descent celebrate their heritage. The history of St Patrick's Day goes back to 1631 when the Roman Catholic Church created a "Feast Day" to commemorate St Patrick's death date 1200 years prior. If you're unsure of what all St Patrick did and what the culture of the time was like, check out some of the following library books! Click on the following link to find a list of the titles in your library catalog: St Patrick's Day and the Celts.

1. The Last Snake in Ireland by Sheila MacGill-Callahan.

This children's picture story book does a good job of introducing a miracle St Patrick is said to have performed: ridding Ireland of all the snakes.

2. Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland by Kevin Crossley-Holland.

This contains classic stories passed down over the ages among the Celts. While the stories are sometimes dark in tone, they also can make you grin at how magical and imaginative they are. Families will enjoy reading the stories aloud.

3. Strong, Brave, True. Great Scots who Changed the World and How You Can Too! by Mairi Kidd.

While St Patrick's Day is technically just about Ireland, Scotland is often considered a part of the same Celtic culture as its neighbor. I enjoy this particular book's way of introducing famous individuals from Scotland. It's much like an enhanced graphic novel for kids and is quite colorful throughout the book.

4. Celts : Dress, Eat, Write, and Play Just Like the Celts by Joe Fullman

If you're looking for authentic crafts and activities to do this St Patrick's Day, look no further than this book. From food recipes to writing techniques, this will help you recreate a day in the life of Scots-Irish people pre-and post-St Patrick.

5. Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage by Carey Wallace.

Beautifully detailed illustrations by Nick Thornborrow, Stories of the Saints includes a mini-biography of St. Patrick, along with other saints of the Roman Catholic Church. Told in a story book format, this new addition to the library is very kid-friendly for its styled artistry and straightforward writing.