DePaola, Tomie. 2000. JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE POOKA. Ill. by Tomie dePaola. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
ISBN: 0-399-23467-5
PLOT SUMMARY
In the original Irish folktale, JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE POOKA by Tomie dePaola, Jamie O’Rourke, “the laziest man in Ireland,” makes another appearance. First seen in JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE BIG POTATO, Jamie has not changed his slothful ways. His wife Eileen has left to visit her sister leaving Jamie a “larder” full of good things to eat. Although Jamie has promised to keep order in the house, his three raucous friends arrive and soon things are in a terrible state of disarray. Mysteriously, a pooka, in the form of a donkey-like creature, arrives and quickly puts the house back in order. The cycle continues for a week until Jamie decides to give the creature a gift as a gesture of gratitude. Unbeknownst to Jamie, the reward breaks the spell and the pooka leaves for good. Jamie’s wife returns to a mess and Jamie, who is full of regrets.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In the second book featuring Jamie O’Rourke, Tomie dePaola has created an original story with roots in Irish folk tales. In an author’s note at the end of the story, dePaola explains the legend of the pookas in Ireland. He takes that legend and ingenuously weaves it into a fun, rollicking narrative. Young readers will delight in Jamie’s misbehavior and take pleasure when he receives exactly what he deserves. Some readers may object to the stereotypes perpetuated by the characters but most will recognize them as broad caricatures. As illustrator, dePaola’s distinctive acrylic paintings possess a simple, primitive quality that complements the folk tale in exactly the right way. The pooka is represented as a slightly ominous creature drawn in an outline form that keeps it from being too frightening. JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE POOKA will certainly become a go-to classic for St. Patrick’s Day.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review from BOOKLIST, January 1, 2000
Jamie's jovial shiftlessness is affectionately depicted in dePaola's timeless, decorative style.
Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, February 4, 2002
…dePaola's liquid acrylic paintings spill over their frames onto the white space surrounding them.
Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, January 17, 2000
DePaola's jaunty storytelling pace and his snappy Irish phrases give this tale extra sparkle.
CONNECTIONS
Since dePaola writes in Irish dialect, the book would be a great introduction to the discussion of accents. Talk about the variety of accents that people may have. Listen to a live stream of Irish radio and then have students practice their accents. Ask someone Irish to read the story. (My mom is from Ireland and she would come to my class and read stories around St. Patrick’s Day.)
Use the story as part of an Irish theme around St. Patrick’s Day.
Read the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker and compare.
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