To buy a baby book about a Leprechaun (Irish views very much wanted)

[StColumbofNavron]

I've been making a tailor made book subscription for two of my closest friends baby. I've been really selective around the books trying to buy something that reflects the heritage and/or interests of the mum and dad who are both very close friends of mine. They've loved all the choices so far, but I have been trying to find something in Irish and English (one parent is Irish and works in Irish heritage). I'm sticking to board books for now so some of the fairy tales which I have come across won't really work at the moment. I have found this one www.amazon.co.uk/My-Magical-Leprechaun-Campbell-Books/dp/1529036291/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=irish+baby+books&srpt=ABIS_BOOK&qsid=261-5596835-2776813&sres=1529036291%2C0746091117%2C1788491653%2C0448450909%2C0007176171%2C1912417375%2C1090679114%2C1508900949%2C0717148378%2CB0915M7RVM%2CB095Q3CR3K%2CB0915HFXRT%2C0369600436%2CB006YZWAFS%2C1474953468%2C0091912709&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1634836091&sr=8-1 but am just wondering about whether a leprechaun is offensive or not in this context.

I’m Irish, in Dublin, and wouldn’t have a problem with it. Leprechauns are like fairies, banshees etc. It’s like a book of fairy tales.
They even show Darby O’Gill and the Little People here on tv every St. Patrick’s Day lol.

I'm Irish, and I think it's cringe.
I really like the book for small children The President's Glasses, www.easons.com/the-presidents-glasses-peter-donnelly-9780717175406?gclid=CjwKCAjwn8SLBhAyEiwAHNTJbWtnAp3gIdpza3GXimtAS-viMXRnBJk-e-cZX-yEvhOKp4579Lvy4RoCjcoQAvD_BwE, and there's another one called The President's Cat.

We still have Leprechauns as a six at Brownies - I'm not sure what's offensive about them? (apart from most of the girls not being able to spell it properly).

Personally I wouldn’t be offended (Irish and Irish husband, living in England). Just wanted to say thank you for the link as I’ve just ordered the book for my children who are a bit obsessed with leprechauns thanks to all the stories my dad tells them 😂

Oh, I've just realised it isn't dual language.

I'm Irish and would not be at all offended by this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Lir-Irish-English-Celtic/dp/1852698187/ref=ascdff_1852698187/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311266996946&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9397012232158439262&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20489&hvtargid=pla-698517162925&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
What about this one?

I'm Irish and wouldn't like it tbh, cringey stereotypical gift, as if leprechauns are all we have. Maybe a book from futafata.ie?

I do have The Children of Lir in my basket as well, but he is only 6 months old so I was wondering if that might be a good one to save. I do like the President's Glasses.

Oh that website is brilliant @Garman

I found it quite fascinating that it's written by someone from Korea

I've purchased a lovely book from the website @Garman suggested. Thanks so much for the advice and opinions.

Great, glad to help 😊

I'm Irish (living in Kildare) and wouldn't to offended at all.

*be

Glad to see you're sorted now.
I think it's better to avoid leprechaun books tbh as it's a bit of a stereotype, though I wouldn't say offensive.
Mine used to like the Bran board books, they're the Irish version of the Spot books so 'Cá bhfuil Bran?' is the Irish equivalent of 'Where's Spot?' etc.
Not exactly original though

Yeah I don't think it's offensive at all.

No, not offensive really, but, as always, context is everything. So while I might be happy to buy a book about leprechauns for my own children (if it were good), a gift of one from someone of another nationality might make me pause and wonder if they understood the Irish relationship with leprechauns. As in, they're a caricature really. Oirish rather than Irish at this stage.
That said, Eoin Colfer does a great job of updating them in his Artemis Fowl books!

It's not offensive but do think it's a little dated and stereotypical.

Would you consider something like this instead www.bookdepository.com/Am-I-small-An-bhfuil-me-beag-Edel-Blake/9781508900948?redirected=true&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=Base1&utm_source=IE&utm_content=Am-I-small-An-bhfuil-me-beag&selectCurrency=EUR&w=AFFPAU96UBDLXVA8V9DP&gclid=CjwKCAjwn8SLBhAyEiwAHNTJbZ-Sh0-NwLaSxoI9lcPCd2oMr32xWZJMnLxRMoNvu6SgbCf_JwpO8xoCkPoQAvD_BwE

I'm Irish, I live in Dublin. Not offended at all.

@LizzieAnt

No, not offensive really, but, as always, context is everything. So while I might be happy to buy a book about leprechauns for my own children (if it were good), a gift of one from someone of another nationality might make me pause and wonder if they understood the Irish relationship with leprechauns. As in, they're a caricature really. Oirish rather than Irish at this stage. That said, Eoin Colfer does a great job of updating them in his Artemis Fowl books!

I think that’s fair.

I'm Irish and I'd not be at all pleased with "leprechauns", particularly if the gift is for a home where there is some kind (any kind) of real clue about Irish heritage.
I'd look towards one of the very many other types of cultural material (esp literary) - we like books in Ireland and we love children's books.
"Leprechaun" books are for English speaking tourists.

Irish here and wouldn't appreciate this as a gift, particularly from someone who isn't Irish. I'd see it as a not very funny joke gift, but as an Irish person i would of course pretend to like it.

Lots of lovely books for kids published in Ireland, whether folktales or just regular kids stories with an Irish twist eg mothers called Mammy and kids called Sean.

It's very thoughful of you to ask for views from Irish people on this book, great idea to send regular books as a present.