cover image Jeremy Bean's St. Patrick's Day

Jeremy Bean's St. Patrick's Day

Alice Schertle, Alice Shertle. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, $16 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-688-04813-6

Give the green light to Jeremy Beanhe faces up to the taunts of his peers and his fear of the school principal in one day. All the kids in his class have planned to wear green to the St. Patrick's Day party, but Jeremy forgets. When his classmates tease him, he hides in the janitor's closet, only to be discovered by a man who frightens himMr. Dudley, the principal. But Mr. Dudley, in a green top hat, green socks, green jacket and green tie, has green to spareand once he and Jeremy become friends, the festivities can begin. Shute's children look like small trolls, decked out in combat fatigues and workout tightsa comic contrast to the stuffy-looking principal. A small but reassuring story, this one can be enjoyed during the wearing of the green, or all year 'round. (5-8)