Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
Add Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato to bookshelf
Add to Bookshelf

Look Inside

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

An Irish Folktale

An Irish Folktale

An Irish Folktale

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola

By Tomie dePaola
Read by Jennifer Van Dyck

By Tomie dePaola
Read by Jennifer Van Dyck

Best Seller
Paperback $8.99

Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030 | 4-8 years

Ebook $6.99

Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9781101653456 | 3-5 years

Board Book $5.99

Jan 22, 2009 | 3-5 years

Audiobook Download $5.00

Feb 06, 2018 | 9 Minutes | 4-8 years

All Formats
+
    Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola
    Paperback $8.99
    Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (3) +
    • $8.99

      Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9780698116030 | 4-8 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jan 27, 1997 | ISBN 9781101653456 | 3-5 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • $5.99

      Jan 22, 2009 | ISBN 9780448450902 | 3-5 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Feb 06, 2018 | ISBN 9780525594574 | 4-8 years

      9 Minutes

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    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?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    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?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    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?

    About Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    “My Irish grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Downey, was a great storyteller. I loved his rendition of The Animal Fair and his explanation of why he was bald (that will remain a personal secret). I never tired of sitting on his knee—and later, when I was a bit too big, sitting at his feet with one of my baby sisters on his knee—listening to his wonderful tall tales.

    Among the stories I loved the best were the ones about the Irish—and the Downey family in particular. In those tales, I’m afraid, “dramatic flair” and artistic liberties took over for fact. But as any good storyteller knows, to embellish is to make the tale interesting, especially to a young Tomie.

    When I read the short tale that inspired Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato, I swear I could hear my grandfather Tom Downey whispering in my ear, “Jamie O’Rourke was the laziest man…”. Now I hope that the next generation, sitting on someone’s knees or at someone’s feet, will hear the words just as I did.” —Tomie dePaola

    Listen to a sample from Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 1-4
    Adelita
    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 5-8
    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 1-4
    Adelita
    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 5-8
    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 1-4
    Adelita
    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 5-8
    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    Also by Tomie dePaola

    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 1-4
    Adelita
    26 Fairmount Avenue: Books 5-8
    Strega Nona Does It Again
    The Magical World of Strega Nona: a Treasury
    See all books by Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    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… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    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… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    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… More about Tomie dePaola

    About Tomie dePaola

    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… More about Tomie dePaola

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Picture Books

    Paperback | $8.99
    Published by Puffin Books
    Jan 27, 1997 | 32 Pages | 8 x 10 | 4-8 years | ISBN 9780698116030

    Category: Children’s Books

    Ebook | $6.99
    Published by Grosset & Dunlap
    Jan 27, 1997 | 12 Pages | 3-5 years | ISBN 9781101653456

    Category: Children’s Board Books

    Board Book | $5.99
    Published by Grosset & Dunlap
    Jan 22, 2009 | 14 Pages | 8 x 7-1/2 | 3-5 years | ISBN 9780448450902

    Category: Children’s Books | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $5.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Feb 06, 2018 | 9 Minutes | 4-8 years | ISBN 9780525594574

    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Praise

    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

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Brightly

    Raise kids who love to read

    Today's Top Books

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

         An online magazine for today’s home cook

    TASTE

    An online magazine for today’s home cook