Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates

All young, hockey-mad Bobby wants is a brand-new pair of skates: “The blades were an untouched, gleaming silver. And the bright white laces were tied into perfect bows.” When his 11th birthday rolls around, he gets hand-me-down skates instead; Phelan uses a diagram to humorously illustrate their differences from the shop skates, including “brother feet smell” and “rust patches.” Bobby makes the best of things, and soon the “skates accompanied Bobby all over town.” Like a wistful fairytale, this true story from Kootstra and hockey legend Orr emphasizes hard work, gratitude, and making do with what one has. Phelan’s pink-hued oil pastel and watercolor illustrations sometimes mimic a family photo album’s layout, amplifying the story’s warm, nostalgic tone. Ages 4–8. [em](Sept.) [/em]