The story follows Finn, a kind hearted leprechaun who feels different from the other leprechauns around him. Instead of wanting to focus on mischief or greed, Finn wants to use his abilities for good and hopes to become an elf at Santa's workshop. As he makes his way to the North Pole, he meets talking animals, gnomes, and skeptical elves who don't immediately understand him. I like how Finn's journey shows that sometimes other people may not understand your dreams, but that shouldn't stop you from being yourself.
The Christmas setting makes the story feel extra magical. The idea of a leprechaun travelling all the way to the North Pole to become an elf is creative and fun, especially because it brings together two different kinds of holidays together. The colorful illustrations also help bring Finn's adventure to life and make the book appealing for younger readers. Finn's journey is filled with challenges and important lessons about kindness as well as courage. One of my favorite things is the message, which reminds readers that being different can actually be a gift. I really like how the story connects this idea to the Christmas spirit, showing that kindness, generosity and compassion are more important than fitting in. Finn's determination to find where he belongs makes his adventure especially meaningful and gives young readers an encouraging lesson about believing in themselves. Anyone who enjoys magical adventures will most likely enjoy this book.
The story promotes a positive message about kindness, courage, compassion and embracing what makes you unique. Parents should know that the story includes some moments where Finn faces doubt from others, but these moments help reinforce the book's positive message and are appropriate for younger readers.
The Christmas Leprechaun gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommended it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now from online retailers.
By Adrianna R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15
The most appealing parts of The Christmas Leprechaun are certainly the illustrations and the concept of the story. It wonderfully combines Irish folklore with Christmas and that's not something you see all the time. It includes a new, fresh take on a Christmas story and has some excellent positive messages about kindness, courage, and being yourself. A favorite part is when Finn meets Athena and she helps him realize that being different can actually be a strength. This short story is suitable for kids due to the magical elements, fun illustrations and the heartwarming message behind the story.
The storyline follows Finn, a leprechaun who is different from his family: he has a dream of being on Santa's team on the North Pole. On his journey to fulfill his dreams, he encounters numerous obstacles along the way, learning that being different is not always bad.
The story has a clear beginning, middle, and ending, and the plot makes sense. However, the middle is a little hard to follow because there are several different events and characters introduced quickly that don't have much of a role in the overall story. The ending feels quite rushed when compared to the beginning, especially when Finn suddenly becomes accepted by the elves and joins Santa. The writing style is simple and descriptive, which works well for younger readers, although some of the character development lacks strength.
This is a fantasy story that uses ideas about leprechauns, elves, Irish traditions, and Christmas, which are mostly used to establish the fantasy setting of the story. The book does not try to teach the reader historical facts about these traditions. For a children's fantasy book, the information is appropriate and fits the story. I like how Finn models kindness, generosity, courage, and acceptance. He helps others even when he has very little himself and he eventually learns to accept what makes him different. Also, there is an owl who models compassion and wisdom as she encourages Finn when he feels as though he does not belong. However, there are some negative behaviors lacking consequences in the beginning of the story such as Finn's brother Blarney teasing him for being different and not wanting to act like the other leprechauns. Finn faces several problems throughout his journey and has to decide whether he should continue when things become difficult. He questions whether he belongs at the North Pole, but the owl encourages him to trust himself. These problems are simple enough for young children to understand and it shows them that challenges can be solved by persevering and asking for help when needed. The vocabulary and concepts are mostly appropriate for a young audience. The illustrations are one of the strongest aspects of the book. They strengthen the magic of the story, bringing a sense of vibrancy and color, especially during the scenes at the North Pole. The artwork is very appealing and matches the holiday and fantasy themes of the story. The illustrations also help keep the book visually interesting even when the plot slows down. The book has strong social and entertainment value. It teaches children about kindness, generosity, courage, and accepting people who are different from them. The story is also entertaining because it combines leprechauns, elves, Christmas, and magic into one story, providing a unique and fun story line for young readers.
The book's message is that your differences are not something to be ashamed of. The story also shows that stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to new friendships and experiences.
I give The Christmas Leprechaun 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now from online booksellers.
By Rhea S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
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