Oddfellow's Orphanage is an early chapter book about a little albino girl who comes to an orphanage, and all the other children and staff that she comes to know there. It's a very gentle, retro and fantasy flavored story, with hints of sadness as of course the children are all orphans. I followed Emily Winfield Martin's art blog, The Black Apple, for years, and I remember the individual portraits of the characters from years ago. She did all the portraits, then came up with a story to tie them all together. These portraits, along with a short biography, are at the beginning of each chapter. I don't actually know her, but I'm very proud of her for becoming a children's book writer and illustrator. I hope she writes more Oddfellow's Orphanage books, as I loved living in the world of the book. Highly recommended for children who can handle a bit of sadness in a book (some of the orphans' families were murdered, and the character bios say so in a non-descriptive but straightforward way). ( )

A series of sketches telling how the various children and adults associated with Oddfellow's Orphanage came to reside there. The pencil illustrations are stronger than the text, but young readers will find them delightful. What child wouldn't love to be in a black bear drawn carriage? I would suggesting reading one sketch per night as a bedtime story for children or one sketch per day as a read-aloud to younger grades. Thanks to Linda for passing her copy along to me. ( )

I very much enjoy the illustrations of Emily Winfield Martin. This book contains more text than illustrations. The illustrations are lovely, and the story is charming.

I've had this book since 2012. It is one of those books that seems to jump off the shelf saying "Read me! Read me!"

Delia, like other children who dwell at the orphanage, was found by Oddfellow Bluebird and brought to the lovely house to live with others in a very happy atmosphere.

Truly a lovely, fluffy story. Each character is given a chapter with an illustration of how they look.

This is a wonderful tale to read if you are having a difficult day. It is a wonderful book to read even if your day is sunny -- it will bring more sunshine into your life whenever you read it.

This just did not keep our interest...which stinks because I really wanted to love this one. May try to pick it up again myself at a later date. ( )