Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads

Elementary Education


Guides
Collections
News
(0)
Wish List (0)
Wish List
Download high-resolution image
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

An Irish Folktale

Author Tomie dePaola
Read by Jennifer Van Dyck
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00
Audiobook Download
Audio | Listening Library
On sale Feb 06, 2018 | 9 Minutes | 9780525594574
Preschool - 3
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
See Additional Formats
"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

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 Laura Ingalls Wilder 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.

View titles by Tomie dePaola
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

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

About

"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

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 Laura Ingalls Wilder 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.

View titles by Tomie dePaola

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

Media

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato - Read Aloud Picture Book | Brightly Storytime

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

General Education & Professional Learning

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

General Education & Professional Learning
Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology
DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request
General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts
education translanguaging collections affirming bilingual and multilingual learners
General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Elementary Education
    Wish List (0)