Over the years, Pro Hockey News has been afforded many opportunities to read and review new book titles, mostly about hockey.
Each one has been a gem and the latest is no exception.
We were sent a copy of “Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates” written by, yes, Bobby Orr and Kara Kootstra. The book is illustrated by Jennifer Phelan.
As you may have guessed this is about Bobby and a pair of hand-me-down skates. I was taken back to being a kid wanting a new pair of skates like Bobby and ending up with a pair skates that were two sizes too big with newspaper stuffed in the toe box because “you’ll outgrow these and we can’t afford another pair”. It wasn’t “Dewey Defeats Truman in the toes, but close. And what kid can walk, never mind skate in clown skates? And, of wait, I thought this was my analyst’s couch. Sorry.
That’s how powerful this book is. Kids will learn, but adults will get a message as well.
The book tracks the story of Bobby, who has a birthday coming and all he wants is a brand-new pair of skates to play hockey this coming season. The skates are right there in the Sports Store window in town. See?!
The morning of his birthday comes, and he opens a box to discover his older brother’s hand-me-downs.
Crestfallen, but not crushed, Bobby accepts them and learns to skate in old, worn skates.
Sure, Bobby’s a good skater and gets past the size thing and……sorry.
Bobby makes the skates his own and impresses all with his abilities.
The authors take Bobby through that season and his hockey abilities lead to a new pair of skates just like he wanted.
We’ll leave the story there because the ultimate message of the book is, well, perfect. It really is just perfection, without being schmaltzy.
Bobby Orr and Kara Kootstra have crafted a wonderful piece of writing and storytelling for kids (and the whiny adult in your family, thanks, I have my copy now). You know where the story is going ,but the final pages are simply perfect. I know I have said that already, but this book should be a gift for every kid, whether they play hockey or any sport, or none at all
“Bobby and the Hand-Me-Down Skates” is brilliantly illustrated by Jennifer Phelan. It’s no secret on these pages and in my own life I am an ardent fan of illustrated books and cartoons and Phelan does not disappoint on these pages. Bobby smiles whether crestfallen or thrilled to be playing hockey. There’s a level of comfort in that imagery. He beams brighter with new skates but even more so on the final page.
Orr, Kootstra and Phelan have crafted a wonderful piece of storytelling packaged by clearly loving illustrated landscape.
Still no spoiler alert. You will just have to buy the book.
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