Patrick and the President is a heartfelt and beautiful picture book about John F. Kennedy’s 1963 return to his ancestral home.
This lovely book was written by Ryan Tubridy, one of Ireland’s most beloved media personalities, and illustrated by P.J. Lynch, a prolific Irish artist and picture book illustrator.
A copy of this delightful children’s book has been provided by the publishers Candlewick Press, for one lucky reader to win.
The details on how to enter the giveaway are at the end of this post, but first let me share how this book commemorates this important piece of Irish American history.
Inspiration For Patrick and the President:
Witnessed through the eyes of a young Irish boy, this captivating story beautifully evokes John F. Kennedy’s return to his ancestral home.
When the beloved president visited Ireland in 1963, he described it as the best four days of his life.
And for a generation of Irish people, it was a trip they never forgot. This warmly told, bighearted picture book captures the fevered excitement in the buildup to the president’s visit, seen through the eyes of a young boy named Patrick who wants to know more than anything what it would feel like to shake the president’s hand.
Rooted in historical fact and marking the centennial of John F. Kennedy’s birth, this feast of a book offers readers a pure and personal take on JFK’s visit to County Wexford, Ireland.
Included in the back matter is a time line that helps amplify the story.
JFK’s Irish Connections:
John F. Kennedy always had close personal ties to Ireland. In the late 1840s, during the devastating potato famine, all eight of his great-grandparents left Ireland and immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, where several family members became successful politicians.
“This is not the land of my birth,
but it is the land for which
I hold the greatest affection.”
~ John F. Kennedy (referring to Ireland)
JFK treasured his Irish heritage, and after his presidential inauguration, he was determined to return to his ancestral home and walk in the footsteps of his forebears.
In April 1963, it was announced in Ireland that the American president was coming to visit. His trip was planned with military precision, and at every stop along his four-day trip, tens of thousands of people flocked to catch a glimpse of him.
For a whole generation of Irish people, JFK’s visit to Ireland became a momentous and unforgettable occasion in their lives.
Author Ryan Tubridy:
Ryan Tubridy is one of Ireland’s leading and best-loved media personalities, gracing both the Irish and U.K. airwaves, and he has won numerous awards and accolades.
He is best recognized as the current host of the long-running chat show The Late Late Show and is also the author of a nonfiction book for adult readers, JFK in Ireland: Four Days that Changed a President. Ryan Tubridy lives in Dublin.
Here’s what Ryan has to say about Patrick and the President …
“Everywhere he went the president was met by schoolchildren, and this is where Patrick, the putative hero of this book, comes in – a funsize eyewitness to an enormous story. Does he get to shake the hand of the most talked-about man in the world, or do they merely pass in the throng?”
Illustrator P.J. Lynch:
P.J. Lynch has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and the Christopher Medal three times.
His research brings impeccable detail to the twenty books he has illustrated, including The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Mysterious Traveler by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, as well as his author-illustrator debut, The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower, or John Howland’s Good Fortune.
“As an illustrator I have worked
on lots of fairy tales and fantasies,
but I have always been attracted to stories
that are based on some element of truth.”
~ P. J. Lynch
P.J. Lynch is the current Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s laureate for children’s literature. He lives in Dublin.
The Giveaway:
One lucky winner will win a copy of Patrick and the President.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Saturday, March 11th, 2017.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you have any memories of JFK.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 11th 2017, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
A big thank you to Candlewick Press for sharing this wonderful children’s book with us today. I am delighted to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth by sharing this book.
And a big shout out to all who take the time to leave a comment to enter this little giveaway. As always, your support is greatly appreciated.
Update 11/3/17 – Winner Chosen:
Good news. Our winner has been chosen using the randomized “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Mary Ann
I’ll send our winner a quick e-mail to let her know about her lucky win.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway. And a big thank you to Candlewick Press for sponsoring this prize. Wishing everyone a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Image Credits and Copyright Notice:
PATRICK AND THE PRESIDENT. Copyright © 2017 by P. J. Lynch. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA on behalf of Walker Books, London.
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I remember when JFK died. I would love this book to read to all the grands, and tell them how I felt when he died.
Hi Audrey – I think this would be a wonderful book to share with your grandchildren. It’s a perfect way to share a little bit of history and our Irish American pride.
All the best,
Mairéad
JFK was a great president and I wish we could have someone like him in office today.
JFK was a great president in my book too. He governed at a difficult time, but he guided the country with skill, diplomacy and insight. May he rest in peace.
Take care and thanks for entering this little giveaway.
Mairéad
I was born in 1961 and was the same age as John F. Kennedy, Jr. Though I have no clear memories of his presidency, I remember my parents talking about where they were the moment they heard he had been killed. I also remember that as a young child, my parents kept a picture hanging of President Kennedy –it was the only American President for whom they ever hung a picture. With Irish roots, too, and having enjoyed a return to Ireland with my sisters many years ago, I can concur with JFK, that while Ireland is not the home for my birth, it the land for which I hold the greatest affection.
Hi Heidi – Being born in 1961, I understand how JFK is not part of your memories, but his legacy lived on through our parents. When you said you were born the same year as JFK Jr. I thought of the poignant image of him saluting his father at JFK’s funeral. He was such a little boy back then. I think many Irish and Irish American homes had a picture of JFK hanging on the wall. I remember many such photos hung with pride. I even once saw a tapestry fire screen with his image. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much for supporting this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Being Irish-Americans, I can remember as a young person staying up on election night into the wee hours of the morning listening to the radio go state by state reading off electoral votes. Our family, being from New England, happened to be in Boulder, Colorado at the time. We were so excited and proud when President Kennedy’s name was read the moment he earned enough electoral votes to become President. Our screams could probably be heard on the East coast as we clapped and danced with happiness and pride. What a night to remember!
Hi Mary – I’d say it was some Irish jig your family did when President Kennedy was elected. I was not born until after his death, but I still remember, as a child, hearing the pride in people’s voices when they spoke of him. All of Ireland celebrated his election and his visit to our country was a wonderful occasion. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story of JFK.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
This would be a wonderful book for my grandkids.
🙂 🙂 🙂
I well remember JFK’s visit to Ireland. I was aged 17 at the time. I’m delighted that it has been recorded in this way by one of Ireland’s most loved and most energetic broadcasters.
Hi Mattie – It’s lovely to hear from someone who remembers the President’s visit. You were 17 when JFK visited Ireland, and I was 14 when Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979. I will always remember going to the Phoenix Park for mass – it was such a memorable day. I too was delighted to hear about this book written by Ryan Tubridy. The story is beautifully told, and the illustrations are lovely. They capture a sense of the 1960’s. I love the photo where Patrick is eating a slice of swiss roll.
All the best,
Mairéad
There are many things about JFK to highly admired and respected. He was killed 4 days before my second birthday. I guess my parents would’ve voted for him. I really like his quote “This is not the land of my birth, but it is the land for which I hold the greatest affection.” I feel the same way.
Hi Jeff – I love that quotation too. It’s nice to know JFK got a chance to visit Ireland before his tragic death. He was treated to the warmest of warm Irish welcomes during his stay.
All the best,
Mairéad
I would dearly love this book.
One thing I would like to say – I have a book about John F. Kennedy that I truly love, it is “Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye” by Kenneth P. O’Donnell.
Dear Mairead, thank you for this giveaway! Hope you are doing well these days! It will be St. Patrick’s Day soon! xx
Hi Kay – I love the title of the book you mentioned “Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye.” I’ll have to check it out – thanks for the recommendation. Thanks for stopping by and supporting this little giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
A book like this, in my opinion, is a real treasure, as the perspective of a child can always have the possibility of teaching us a simpler and more real way to “see” things. The life and death of JFK and the Kennedy Family gives us the insight, it seems to me, that we should give really serious thought to the fact that we do not know the length of life God will allow us…we do not know what sadness or tragedy might be our cross to bear…and, that money and power do not guarantee “happiness” in this life.
The story of John Fitzgerald Kennedy may also remind us how much just one life can affect so many.
Thank you, Mairead*, as always, and God bless you!
Hi Irishannie – There is true wisdom in your words – we never know how long we have in this life. I often think of the old saying …”Never regret growing old, many are denied the privilege.” Words that are so true for JFK. He had such potential to do so much for the world but never got the chance.
Blessings to you too,
Mairéad
I was in the fourth grade when JFK was assinated. I attended a Catholic school and my teacher, a nun, stopped our math lesson and we all knelt and said a prayer. I remember going home for lunch that day and my mom and gram were in tears. We loved that man! I am a retired teacher and yes, still adding books to my collection.
I would live to include this one.
Thank you!
Hi Mary Ann – The world was in tears that day. I can just picture your returning home from school on that tragic day to find your mom and gran in tears in the kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing your experience of JFK.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
I arrived in the USA Dec 1962 & started work a wk.later at New York Telephone Co.as a switchboard operator, in the spring of 1963 a customer from Sacramento 8 exchange in Manhattan called the operator (I picked up the call)to say he was disconnected from Mr.Jack Kennedy @ a 617 # in Massachusetts and please put him through right away ,since it was person to person I had to make sure it was Mr Kennedy on the line before I keyed off , Mr Kennedy said to my customer Ah a fine Irish lass you got there.
That day is still fresh in my mind.Sad to say I was at that same Switchboard Nov 22nd.
When many customers called the operator to announce the sad news.
Hi Mary – My favorite thing about my blog is reading comments like yours that share personal stories from days gone by. Such a wonderful story about JFK – it makes him so real to hear from those who experienced a real life connection with him. I smiled when I read your comment about working for the telephone company and then noticed another comment further on from a reader who also worked for the telephone company in the 1960’s. Thank you so much for sharing with us today.
All the best,
Mairéad
This looks like a fantastic book that could help kids connect their American and Irish heritage and history.
So true, Shaun. It’s lovely to find books that make those connections between Ireland and America and bring them to life for kids through the art of storytelling.
Take care,
Mairéad
My Mam was a domestic in 1949 when she came from Ireland. She worked in the home next to The Kennedy Compound long before the political aspirations of the boys. They played football together Mam and the boys and always said they were a great bunch of lads! Good times and lots of Craic!
Hi Catherine – “A great bunch of lads” – now that’s high praise indeed from your mother. What a lovely family story about your mom playing football with the Kennedys. Love it! 🙂 🙂 🙂
All the best,
Mairéad
Mairead;
I arrived in the US in Oct. 1962 on Thursday and went to work at the “phone company” the following Monday. All the Irish in NY were ecstatic with JFK for president. The whole country seemed full of hope, positivism and idealism. Although Ireland has a democracy as their government in place, I never felt as a young person part of the Irish political scene. My parent always voted as their civic duty, maybe I wasn’t old enough to vote. Such a joy to see “Govt. for the people, by the people….” in action always felt like it was divinely inspired and at the same time an enormous responsibility and example to all the people on earth. Fast forward to November 1963 when I was working in Pocatello Idaho answered the phone and got the news that JFK was shot, the world stood still! I am so excited about this book for my grandchildren. Thanks.
Maureen
Hi Maureen – Ecstatic is a great word to describe the sentiments of the Irish in America and Ireland when JFK was elected. Thank you for sharing your experiences when your first came to America. Your pride in democracy and understanding of the system is inspiring. Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
I would love to have it! Hope this will qualify me!
Absolutely, Darla. Your name will be in the virtual hat when I make the draw on Saturday. Thanks so much for supporting this giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
We have a great JFK museum in our town. I hope it will be available there!
Hi Maureen – I too hope this book makes it into libraries across America, but especially to JFK libraries. Thanks for stopping by and joining in our little raffle.
All the best,
Mairéad
I hear Ryan is visiting Boston ‘this week . Hope the book does well for him.
Hi Barbara – It’s great to hear Ryan is personally promoting his book stateside. I too hope this book is a great success. It’s definitely a book to treasure.
All the best,
Mairéad
I would love this book.
🙂 🙂 🙂
It is hard to believe that anyone living in the USA would
forget what they were doing on that terrible day.
Hi Ruth – So true – For those who were in America and Ireland that day in 1963, the whole world seemed to stop.
Take care,
Mairéad
I would love to win this book, and thanks a million for running the competition.
Best regards
Maureen
Thanks for supporting this giveaway, Maureen. Have a great week,
Mairéad