Gizmo Goes to Ireland by Heidi Heisel is a fun-filled adventure with an adorable dog looking for some luck. Inspired by a cereal box, this charming story follows Gizmo as he devises the brilliant idea to go searching for a four-leaf clover in Ireland. After some troubling bad luck, the dog decides this is the solution that will turn everything around for him. Join him as he travels from one beautiful place to another, taking him from a medieval castle to the Irish Sea. But no matter what, Gizmo doesn’t seem to have any luck finding a clover with four leaves, and the search even turns him green! Soon, he discovers the real secret to luck and decides to share his discovery with everyone.

Heidi Heisel ensures that children will understand Gizmo’s bad mood by providing clear examples of it, and showing that he has to choose to see the good things. Humor is featured throughout with fun moments, such as his fur becoming green from the clover and receiving mushed-up peas for dinner. This pairs well with the positive message of the story, as even when Gizmo feels down, he finds that everyone around him is cheerful and welcoming. The journey is a clever way for children to travel to another place without ever leaving the comforts of home. Irish locations provide a stunning backdrop to Gizmo’s search, with information incorporated, which is a subtle way to teach children real history. Photographs give the story a nice realness to Gizmo’s journey, with scenic shots of Ireland and cute ones of Gizmo in his travel attire. This makes the story feel like a real-life trip, allowing children to see different locations and to be immersed in the beauty of these places. Gizmo Goes to Ireland is a delightful adventure for children to explore Ireland, laugh, and learn along the way.

Gizmo Goes to Ireland by Heidi Heisel is a delightful children's story that combines travel, folklore, and self-discovery into a charming narrative. Told in playful rhyming verse, the book follows Gizmo, an adventurous little dog who sets off on a whimsical journey to Ireland in search of a four-leaf clover to reverse a streak of bad luck. From missed catches and lost chew toys to in-flight mishaps and muddy paws, Gizmo’s quest seems ill-fated until unexpected lessons begin to surface. As Gizmo tours Ireland, readers are treated to a colorful and engaging tour of the Emerald Isle, including stops in Dublin, Swords, Malahide, and Lucan. Each destination is meticulously described, from the cheerful colored doors that symbolize Irish resilience to the butterfly gardens and ancient castles that frame the landscape. Along the way, Gizmo learns snippets of Irish history, such as the Great Famine and Queen Victoria's legacy, offering young readers a gentle introduction to Ireland’s cultural and historical context.

A wise hotel chef helps Gizmo realize that luck isn’t something you find; it’s something you make through preparation, perspective, and perseverance. Heidi Heisel reinforces this message through Gizmo’s evolving behavior as he begins to enjoy his surroundings, engage with others, and reflect on his actions, ultimately understanding that feeling lucky is as much about gratitude and effort as it is about serendipity. The rhymes are simple yet clever, perfect for early readers or enjoyable as a read-aloud. The illustrations, rendered with youthful energy by River Wilson, add charm and personality to Gizmo’s escapades. Together, text and art invite readers into a vivid adventure full of humor, heart, and subtle wisdom. Gizmo Goes to Ireland is a nice addition to a child’s bookshelf.