Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka
Jamie O'Rourke, the laziest man in all of Ireland, is back. Last time we saw him, he was confronting a giant leprechaun-charmed potato (Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato). Now, this indolent Irishman has been left in charge of the house while his hard-working, long-suffering wife Eileen goes to visit her sister for a week. In spite of his plan to stay in bed the entire time (thus not "dirtyin' a thing"), Jamie's cronies come by to keep him company and eat up the grub Eileen left behind. Jamie goes back to sleep amid the mess that night, only to awaken to a mysterious donkey-man cleaning the house. Pleased at his good fortune, Jamie continues his slovenly ways all week long, watching the Pooka (Irish animal spirit, as explained in the author's note) sweep and wash every night. But lazy Jamie's luck is just about to run out...Award-winning author and artist Tomie de Paola has created another lively folk tale based on traditional Irish lore. Young readers will delight in the slothful "hero's" comeuppance, as illustrated in de Paola's charming and inimitable style. (Ages 4 to 8)--Emilie Coulter--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.