Kelsey McIver Explores the Magic of ST. PATRICK'S DAY in a New Nonfiction Book for Young Readers

A familiar holiday gets a closer look in this accessible introduction to its origins and meaning. In St. Patrick’s Day (Saunders Book Company) young readers are invited to go beyond parades and green decorations to learn about the history of Ireland and the figure at the centre of the celebration.

The book traces how St. Patrick’s Day developed over time, connecting legend, religion, and cultural tradition in a way that is easy to follow. It offers a clear entry point for children to understand how holidays are shaped by history and storytelling, and how they continue to evolve.

Written by Kelsey McIver, a writer focused on engaging young readers with approachable nonfiction, the book keeps things concise while still informative. At 24 pages, St. Patrick’s Day is designed for early readers and classrooms, making it a useful introduction to both the holiday itself and the broader idea of learning through celebration.

Check out our interview with the author right here!

Open Book:

Tell us about your new book and how it came to be. What made you passionate about the subject matter you're exploring?

Kelsey McIver:

As a school librarian, I was looking for nonfiction texts to support our Heritage Months and couldn’t find any current books about St. Patrick’s Day. I reached out to Saunders Book Company to see if any were forthcoming and suggested it was something I could write myself, both as someone with Irish heritage and as an educator. They agreed.

While researching Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day, I found that much of the available material was outdated, which made it less engaging for students. There are many fun picture books and fictional stories about leprechauns and Irish folklore, but I had a difficult time finding accessible nonfiction resources grounded in facts.

I wanted to help build a more balanced collection for Irish Heritage Month that included both fiction and nonfiction. It’s so important that students have access to current, accurate information about their own identities and cultures, as well as those different from their own.

OB:

What was your research process like for this book? Did you encounter anything unexpected while you were researching?

KM:

I love research and learning new things, so I made sure to draw from a wide range of sources, both primary and secondary, and from diverse authors and perspectives around the world. I consulted children’s books, scholarly articles, news reports, and religious texts to develop a fuller understanding of St. Patrick as a historical figure, a saint, and a legend, as well as the many ways St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated globally.

I was surprised by how widely and diversely the holiday is celebrated. One of my favourite discoveries was that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade actually took place in Florida.

OB:

What do you love about writing nonfiction? What are some of the strengths of the genre, in your opinion?

KM:

I love nonfiction for many reasons, not least because I think it’s sometimes overlooked in language and English programs. Fiction is often prioritized, but nonfiction can enrich learning across all subjects and is an excellent way to combine literacy skills with content knowledge.

Nonfiction helps readers build their knowledge base and develop critical thinking skills. It offers a meaningful way to learn about the world, other people, and ourselves, and it’s especially important to recognize that many readers naturally gravitate toward nonfiction.

OB:

Do you remember the first moment you began to consider writing this book? Was there an inciting incident that kicked off the process for you?

KM:

I somewhat cheekily offered to write a St. Patrick’s Day book for Saunders when they mentioned they didn’t have one in development. I was both thrilled and surprised when they accepted.

I’ve always loved writing, reading, and sharing information, and this felt like a natural extension of that — especially since it allowed me to share knowledge with my own students and others across North America. I had already done a fair amount of research on St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage for teaching, so the writing process came together quite smoothly.

OB:

What are you working on now?

KM:

I’m hoping to continue working with Saunders on more nonfiction titles, and I’m also developing my own fiction stories.

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Kelsey McIver is an author of educational nonfiction books for children. Her work, including Celebrations: St. Patrick’s Day, helps young readers learn about holidays and cultural traditions around the world. Through engaging text and vibrant images, she encourages curiosity and appreciation for global celebrations.