Among the orphans are newcomer Delia, who doesn’t speak but writes notes to her new friends in a little notebook; Imogen, the girl with tattoos; Hugo, a hedgehog; and Ollie, an “onion-headed boy.” Everyone is cared for by the charming and loving staff. They celebrate Haircut Day, go on an excursion to find a lake monster, put on a play, host a grand picnic, and play with dancing bears.

Imaginative and sweet, this is a nice old-fashioned read-aloud for children who like make-believe and wonder. Children as young as four should enjoy listening, and readers up to age 10 may want to create their own sketches of scenes and characters from Oddfellow’s Orphanage. ~Tegan