Jane Smith is the award-winning author-illustrator of eleven children’s books, including the popular Chloe Zoe picture book series originally published by Albert Whitman & Company. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, Chloe Zoe is the seventh title in the series and kicks off a set of three new Chloe Zoe books releasing in 2025. Jane enjoys silly pranks, getting crafty and making kiddos laugh. She lives in sun-kissed Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband and super star daughter.
Reviewed by Jennifer Reinoehl for Readers' Favorite
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, Chloe Zoe! is a light-hearted picture book by Jane Smith. It is a realistic portrayal of Chloe Zoe’s St. Patrick’s Day with a very surprising ending. Chloe Zoe is an energetic little girl who loves St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to all the other St. Patrick’s Day activities, all her classmates have to design and make a leprechaun trap. Chloe Zoe especially wants to catch a leprechaun because she wants to use her wish to get a new class pet. Will her trap work?
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, Chloe Zoe! Chloe Zoe Picture Book is a good way to teach kids about St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Kindergarten and preschool teachers should make this book a St. Patrick’s Day classroom staple. Teachers can extend the story by having their students create leprechaun traps or decorate the room with rainbows. Jane Smith’s pictures are delightfully simple line drawings. I loved the color combination between the backgrounds and the clothing and the artist’s interpretation of a “leprechaun” trail. The pictures correspond perfectly with the text, and the animal characters are delightful. My favorite picture is when all the kids rush into the classroom to see if their traps have worked. Some of the items in the classroom are upside-down, and there is a cute leprechaun doll to find. The book is enjoyable enough to read multiple times even as an adult. I highly recommend this book!
