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Oddfellow's Orphanage
New York Times bestselling author Emily Winfield Martin brings a strange and wonderful place to life with her unique style of both art and writing.
What do an onion-headed boy, a child-sized hedgehog, and a tattooed girl have in common? They are all orphans at Oddfellow's Orphanage! This unusual and charming chapter book tells an episodic story that follows a new orphan, Delia, as she discovers the delights of her new home. From classes in Cryptozoology and Fairy Tale Studies to trips to the circus, from Annual Hair Cutting Day to a sea monster-sighting field trip, things at Oddfellows are anything but ordinary . . . except when it comes to friendships. And in that, Oddfellows is like any other school where children discover what they mean to each other while learning how big the world really is.
What do an onion-headed boy, a child-sized hedgehog, and a tattooed girl have in common? They are all orphans at Oddfellow's Orphanage! This unusual and charming chapter book tells an episodic story that follows a new orphan, Delia, as she discovers the delights of her new home. From classes in Cryptozoology and Fairy Tale Studies to trips to the circus, from Annual Hair Cutting Day to a sea monster-sighting field trip, things at Oddfellows are anything but ordinary . . . except when it comes to friendships. And in that, Oddfellows is like any other school where children discover what they mean to each other while learning how big the world really is.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
28 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Emily Winfield Martin
17 books538 followersEmily Winfield Martin makes paintings, books, and other things. When she was small, she spent every moment drawing, reading, dressing rabbits in fancy clothes, and having many peculiar daydreams. When she grew up, she began to illustrate those peculiar daydreams, and after college, she created a cottage industry called The Black Apple, which sells all manner of art and etceteras.
She works in a tiny nook of a studio filled with old children's books, wind-up toys, and stacks of fabric. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, music, myths, carnivals, children's books from the late 19th through mid 20th century, her favorite films, and autobiography.
She likes bears and sea monsters and seashell pink poppies. She lives and works among the giant fir trees of Portland, OR.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackapple
She works in a tiny nook of a studio filled with old children's books, wind-up toys, and stacks of fabric. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, music, myths, carnivals, children's books from the late 19th through mid 20th century, her favorite films, and autobiography.
She likes bears and sea monsters and seashell pink poppies. She lives and works among the giant fir trees of Portland, OR.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackapple
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
November 17, 2011
I'm a fan of Emily Martin's art, so when I heard she had written a children's book telling the story behind some of her characters, I was pretty excited.
I read an arc of the book, so it only had rough pencil sketches of the art instead of the B&W illustrations that will be in the final edition. Unfortunately, the story felt like a rough pencil sketch too.
Essentially, students at a suspiciously Hogwartsian orphanage have some mildly amusing adventures and then everyone is happy because although they're not actually related, the orphans and orphanage staff are still a big, wonderful, lovely family! Tra-la-la, sunshine and butterflies, our parents are dead, but we have rabbit-shaped pancakes, so isn't life just marvelous?, etc. It's like a really long Etsy description that's aiming for enchanting whimsy, but ends up just seeming saccharine and vapid. Unless some heavy-duty editing goes on before publication, Oddfellow's Orphanage is just a bunch of pretty pictures in search of a story. Ten bucks says 20-something hipster girls who prize style over substance will be beating down the doors at Urban Outfitters to get their hands on a copy.
Side note: the decision not to print the illustrations in color is baffling. I don't think Martin's style works nearly as well in black and white.
I read an arc of the book, so it only had rough pencil sketches of the art instead of the B&W illustrations that will be in the final edition. Unfortunately, the story felt like a rough pencil sketch too.
Essentially, students at a suspiciously Hogwartsian orphanage have some mildly amusing adventures and then everyone is happy because although they're not actually related, the orphans and orphanage staff are still a big, wonderful, lovely family! Tra-la-la, sunshine and butterflies, our parents are dead, but we have rabbit-shaped pancakes, so isn't life just marvelous?, etc. It's like a really long Etsy description that's aiming for enchanting whimsy, but ends up just seeming saccharine and vapid. Unless some heavy-duty editing goes on before publication, Oddfellow's Orphanage is just a bunch of pretty pictures in search of a story. Ten bucks says 20-something hipster girls who prize style over substance will be beating down the doors at Urban Outfitters to get their hands on a copy.
Side note: the decision not to print the illustrations in color is baffling. I don't think Martin's style works nearly as well in black and white.
October 19, 2020
The stories all have a quiet, feel to them. The people are kind and genuinely nice to each other, unusual, unworldly things are accepted with either equanimity or enthusiasm, making the stories ultimately pretty positive.
The artwork put me in mind of the imagery of1930s and 1940s North America, though I can’t be sure of the actual time periods or styles as I have only a smattering of art history knowledge.
At the same time, I felt the story was a little too precious (though I liked the hedgehog).
The artwork put me in mind of the imagery of1930s and 1940s North America, though I can’t be sure of the actual time periods or styles as I have only a smattering of art history knowledge.
At the same time, I felt the story was a little too precious (though I liked the hedgehog).
October 12, 2019
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.
August 28, 2019
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.
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.
January 24, 2021
“I liked it SO much. It was fun, and it makes me feel happy. And it was good, it makes me feel good sooo much. I loved the book.”
- Emerson, 4.5
Very very sweet, quirky orphanage story. And yes, it was more than 100 pages so I am in fact going to count it towards my 100 book goal. 😂
- Emerson, 4.5
Very very sweet, quirky orphanage story. And yes, it was more than 100 pages so I am in fact going to count it towards my 100 book goal. 😂
June 7, 2012
I so wanted to like this book because of the beautiful artwork of the author/illustrator. Alas, the story was quite lame-o. Under-developed characters made the storyline unbelievable. There is a chance that this author's writing will catch up with her art talent. That's what I'm hoping for.
April 24, 2015
I am unsure exactly how I want to rate this book because I have very mixed feelings about it.
At first, I was wondering during the entire time I was reading it what the point of the story was. I couldn't really tell and all the chapters seemed disconnected. Well, upon finishing the book, you find it it is really just a bunch of short stories using the same characters and setting as the basis for each story. Had I known that right away in the beginning, I wouldn't have been so confused through the entire book and wondering when the story was actually going to start.
The other issue I had that is making it hard for me to decide on a rating is I couldn't really keep any of the characters straight. There wasn't even that many and there was a profile page for each of them, but it wasn't until near the very end of the book I was able to remember who was who among the children. That is probably entirely my fault and not the fault of the author, but I can't say.
I think I am going to settle on a three star rating for three reasons - 1) The story is decently written. 2) The illustrations are really quite adorable. 3) The elements of fantasy were kind of fine.
All in all it isn't a terrible book. It just had me confused most of the time and even though I know now the chapters are sort of each their own short story, I still wish I would have known that in the beginning. The confusion would have greatly lessened.
At first, I was wondering during the entire time I was reading it what the point of the story was. I couldn't really tell and all the chapters seemed disconnected. Well, upon finishing the book, you find it it is really just a bunch of short stories using the same characters and setting as the basis for each story. Had I known that right away in the beginning, I wouldn't have been so confused through the entire book and wondering when the story was actually going to start.
The other issue I had that is making it hard for me to decide on a rating is I couldn't really keep any of the characters straight. There wasn't even that many and there was a profile page for each of them, but it wasn't until near the very end of the book I was able to remember who was who among the children. That is probably entirely my fault and not the fault of the author, but I can't say.
I think I am going to settle on a three star rating for three reasons - 1) The story is decently written. 2) The illustrations are really quite adorable. 3) The elements of fantasy were kind of fine.
All in all it isn't a terrible book. It just had me confused most of the time and even though I know now the chapters are sort of each their own short story, I still wish I would have known that in the beginning. The confusion would have greatly lessened.
February 9, 2012
A strange and surreal set of linked but largely independent episodes set in an orphanage where the children include an onion headed boy, a hedgehog, a tattooed young girl and like unusual sorts. My feeling is that this is one of those books that adults will come into libraries years from now and say that they're looking for, because they read it when they were children and don't remember the title, but do recall the carriage that was pulled by bears, the albino girl who never spoke but wrote notes, or some other fragmentary element.
So read it aloud to some children, and plant images that will stay with them for their entire lives.
So read it aloud to some children, and plant images that will stay with them for their entire lives.
October 25, 2018
Nice illustrations. Unfortunately if you're reading the ebook, the captions are impossible to read unless you're on a tablet. In the end I had to hold the magnifier of my phone up to them, and even then they were tiny.
I loved the concept of the book but it reads like a handful of notes for later development, or perhaps a "Vol 0" for a longer series. There's no real story, the characters are mostly flat and too much is left to the reader's imagination. The "explanation" of Delia's mutism is not offered until the very end. And how is it that the headmaster can wake out of a sound sleep and know where to go to find the latest orphan?
Sweet pictures, sweet little idea--scrappy and disappointing execution. Even including a hedgehog, it just wasn't good enough, and it could have been so much better.
I loved the concept of the book but it reads like a handful of notes for later development, or perhaps a "Vol 0" for a longer series. There's no real story, the characters are mostly flat and too much is left to the reader's imagination. The "explanation" of Delia's mutism is not offered until the very end. And how is it that the headmaster can wake out of a sound sleep and know where to go to find the latest orphan?
Sweet pictures, sweet little idea--scrappy and disappointing execution. Even including a hedgehog, it just wasn't good enough, and it could have been so much better.
January 6, 2023
This charming, quirky fairytale-esq. fable by Emily Winfield Martin (the woman behind the popular Etsy art shop “The Black Apple”) leans heavily on her dreamy illustrations which accompany her words. There is not a single plot developing and unfolding throughout the book, but rather each chapter describes the relationships and the often unusual events that transpire at this orphanage which is more of a family of sweet misfits.
I read this as a bedtime story over several nights with my son, and it is the perfect next step in books for anyone who enjoys her picture books. If half stars were an option I’d probably rank this at 4.5 but it honestly deserves a better ranking than it has received.
I read this as a bedtime story over several nights with my son, and it is the perfect next step in books for anyone who enjoys her picture books. If half stars were an option I’d probably rank this at 4.5 but it honestly deserves a better ranking than it has received.
July 13, 2025
I thought this was a cute and sweet fairytale-like story and her illustrations are adorable as always. I think it’s perfect for young children and for any adults who want a quick, delightful little read with cute illustrations.
I became a huge fan of Emily Winfield Martin’s art after my sister gifted me Snow & Rose (still need to read it though hehe). Her art reminds me of Hallmark’s Mary Hamilton whose precious art adorns everything from stationery to keepsake ornaments. I’ve since purchased all of Martin’s picture books and a few jigsaw puzzles of her art and always gift The Wonderful Things You Will Be to new babies of those nearest and dearest.
On a side note, I’m surprised anyone would hate on this book. Per the blurb at the end, it started off as a series of illustrations and then she added stories to them. It’s not meant to be great literature and I think it’s perfect for its intended age group which is YOUNG CHILDREN. There’s nothing wrong with letting children believe that the world is a nice happy place where people are kind to each other. If you don’t agree, this probably isn’t the book for you.
I became a huge fan of Emily Winfield Martin’s art after my sister gifted me Snow & Rose (still need to read it though hehe). Her art reminds me of Hallmark’s Mary Hamilton whose precious art adorns everything from stationery to keepsake ornaments. I’ve since purchased all of Martin’s picture books and a few jigsaw puzzles of her art and always gift The Wonderful Things You Will Be to new babies of those nearest and dearest.
On a side note, I’m surprised anyone would hate on this book. Per the blurb at the end, it started off as a series of illustrations and then she added stories to them. It’s not meant to be great literature and I think it’s perfect for its intended age group which is YOUNG CHILDREN. There’s nothing wrong with letting children believe that the world is a nice happy place where people are kind to each other. If you don’t agree, this probably isn’t the book for you.
September 30, 2018
I loved it! Really, it's a charming collection of short stories that, bound together, form a cohesive whole. You get a little bit of back story about each character throughout, and it left me wanting more! I could spend far more time in this charming universe created by Emily Winfield Martin!
November 10, 2018
So charming and sweet!!
April 6, 2019
I really just need to own everything by this author!!
January 25, 2021
Delightfully charming. I enjoy all books that make me feel like a kid again.
January 20, 2018
The only thing better than an original premise is an original literary premise with a touch of quirkiness. This is it. This is a greatly underappreciated work of writing and illustration that should be cherished. Emily Winfield Martin is unique in the way she has been able to tell such a memorable story in just over one hundred words. There doesn't need to be anything added, but the only criticism I would truly have would be that this was it. I wanted more now I have been introduced to such a colourful world.
August 10, 2020
Listen. Objectively, this book is mediocre.
One thing that I think is great is the world that Martin crafted with this short book. It's mystical and magical and when I was a small child, I wanted to go to Oddfellow's Orphanage almost as much as I wanted to go to Hogwarts.
Another thing is that Martin's illustrations are amazing. On review I read said that her black and white pencil sketches were the worst way to show her art. And, while I like her colored art, I have to say I disagree. I prefer the graphite drawings to the colored ones. Plus, fully illustrated in color chapter books are very expensive to make. And I think it's obvious this book did have very much funding.
But if I'm not blinded by childhood nostalgia, I can see the many problems.
First, the writings not the best. For one, the book just wasn't well edited. I noticed a typo and a few grammatical errors. Other than that Martin's writing is just nothing to write home about. She is obviously an artist first and a author second.
Second, the characters are not really there. Even though we get descriptions of each character, none of them ever really show any personality. Character driven readers will not be pleased.
Last, there's not really a plot. We just see various snapshots of Delia's first year at the orphanage. A problem comes and the children have to fix it, something like that. All is resolved within the short chapter. These snapshots are really just world building.
This book is really world first and story second. Which is fine. For a reader like me, the plot could be lacking, but if the world (or writing) is amazing, I'm set. (See: My love of The Starless Sea) But to me, it doesn't seem like Martin intended for the book to be like that. She puts so much attention into giving each character a bio, but to me it only serves as more world building.
Anyway, this book is really a children's book. I read it as a child. I still love it to this day. Here's why. Does anyone care about the analysis I just gave? Nope.
One thing that I think is great is the world that Martin crafted with this short book. It's mystical and magical and when I was a small child, I wanted to go to Oddfellow's Orphanage almost as much as I wanted to go to Hogwarts.
Another thing is that Martin's illustrations are amazing. On review I read said that her black and white pencil sketches were the worst way to show her art. And, while I like her colored art, I have to say I disagree. I prefer the graphite drawings to the colored ones. Plus, fully illustrated in color chapter books are very expensive to make. And I think it's obvious this book did have very much funding.
But if I'm not blinded by childhood nostalgia, I can see the many problems.
First, the writings not the best. For one, the book just wasn't well edited. I noticed a typo and a few grammatical errors. Other than that Martin's writing is just nothing to write home about. She is obviously an artist first and a author second.
Second, the characters are not really there. Even though we get descriptions of each character, none of them ever really show any personality. Character driven readers will not be pleased.
Last, there's not really a plot. We just see various snapshots of Delia's first year at the orphanage. A problem comes and the children have to fix it, something like that. All is resolved within the short chapter. These snapshots are really just world building.
This book is really world first and story second. Which is fine. For a reader like me, the plot could be lacking, but if the world (or writing) is amazing, I'm set. (See: My love of The Starless Sea) But to me, it doesn't seem like Martin intended for the book to be like that. She puts so much attention into giving each character a bio, but to me it only serves as more world building.
Anyway, this book is really a children's book. I read it as a child. I still love it to this day. Here's why. Does anyone care about the analysis I just gave? Nope.
October 12, 2016
Ten Second Synopsis:
Delia arrives at Oddfellow's Orphanage only to discover an array of quirky and whimsical inhabitants. Gentle adventures ensue.
This book is short, gentle, episodic and whimsical. Nothing particularly bad happens and overall this felt like a hipsterish offering, but with good intentions. Each chapter introduces a new cheerful adventure that is unconnected (for the most part) to the others, so the book can be read one chapter at a time over a long period. This is how I approached it. The black and white pencil illustrations are gorgeous and fill out the characters a bit.
On the downside, there’s no connected plot, just a collection of stories about the people who live in the orphanage, so there is no particular motivation to finish the book if you’re bored.
Delia arrives at Oddfellow's Orphanage only to discover an array of quirky and whimsical inhabitants. Gentle adventures ensue.
This book is short, gentle, episodic and whimsical. Nothing particularly bad happens and overall this felt like a hipsterish offering, but with good intentions. Each chapter introduces a new cheerful adventure that is unconnected (for the most part) to the others, so the book can be read one chapter at a time over a long period. This is how I approached it. The black and white pencil illustrations are gorgeous and fill out the characters a bit.
On the downside, there’s no connected plot, just a collection of stories about the people who live in the orphanage, so there is no particular motivation to finish the book if you’re bored.
October 15, 2014
Nice bedtime chapter book for young children. It reminds me of something from the early 1900s. Little vignettes of characters who live in the orphanage tell pleasant stories, focusing on the main character, a mute girl named Delia. The orphans live an enchanted life enjoying picnics, playing with dancing bears and studying astronomy, fairy tales and cryptozoology. Great read-aloud for parents who enjoy reading a chapter book at bedtime. Martin's sketches are as beautiful as usual.
January 13, 2017
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ The Mysterious Woods of Whistle Root
✱ Flora and Ulysses
✱ The Mysterious Woods of Whistle Root
✱ Flora and Ulysses
October 28, 2016
What a darling book! It reminded me of a magical Children of Noisy Village. I would have liked more character development, but it is still a five star book. Martin's illustrations are perfect. Such a sweet and magical book!
October 29, 2016
I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. I think it's made its way to my favorites list. So whimsical and wonderful. I want to read it all over again right now!
April 16, 2019
Oddfellow’s Orphanage is in many ways a calming little book. It doesn’t have a huge plot hook or a huge problem that needs to be solved. Instead, it just gives us short sweet little stories about the residents at Oddfellow’s Orphanage and why they are there. The main star of this book is the artwork that is included.
In many ways, I can see why people would hate this book as it is kind of sickly sweet and there isn’t much going on. Yet, the writing isn’t bad and honestly although it is sickly sweet now as an adult, I do think there is a definitive subset of children who will greatly enjoy it. Honestly, sometimes as an adult it is also nice to move away from darker stories into something sweet.
I enjoyed reading this and would definitely read something more from this author, but if you don’t like gentle whimsical stories that don’t really have a connecting plot this isn’t the book for you.
In many ways, I can see why people would hate this book as it is kind of sickly sweet and there isn’t much going on. Yet, the writing isn’t bad and honestly although it is sickly sweet now as an adult, I do think there is a definitive subset of children who will greatly enjoy it. Honestly, sometimes as an adult it is also nice to move away from darker stories into something sweet.
I enjoyed reading this and would definitely read something more from this author, but if you don’t like gentle whimsical stories that don’t really have a connecting plot this isn’t the book for you.
November 26, 2019
I'm sad to say that I did not like this at all. I don't know what the point of this novel is, to be honest. It lacks any sort of plot. I loved the drawings, but the rest of it simply didn't make any sense. There wasn't much of a story and it dragged on.
I liked the short introductions of the people that live in Oddfellow's Orphanage, but that's it. It doesn't really add to the tale, since those people only play tiny parts in the story. I really wish I could've liked this more. If you want to read something you are likely to enjoy, read Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin. If you love that one, don't try this one because it will disappoint you.
I liked the short introductions of the people that live in Oddfellow's Orphanage, but that's it. It doesn't really add to the tale, since those people only play tiny parts in the story. I really wish I could've liked this more. If you want to read something you are likely to enjoy, read Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin. If you love that one, don't try this one because it will disappoint you.
January 11, 2018
Elise LOVED this book. It’s an interesting story, in a way. It’s not poorly written but nothing really HAPPENS. We just hear what is going on in the daily lives of an eclectic mix of students who board at a school/orphanage. Illustrations are beautiful and there are some fun fantasy elements. Not my favorite book, but my non reader begged and begged for just one more chapter and as soon as we finished it she asked if we could start it over. Cute enough that I’ll try more of her novels and hope for a good outcome.
June 2, 2018
This is a magical, gentle read-aloud about the children and adults who live and love one another at Oddfellow’s Orphanage. Martin’s illustrations make this a good introduction to chapter books. She introduces each character with a portrait and a brief background note. These are interspersed between each chapter. Delia, who is mute, is new to the orphanage but she is welcomed just like the onion-headed boy, the little hedgehog and the tattooed girl. Tame bears pull the carriage and dance for entertainment, until it is time for them to hibernate. Charming.
October 29, 2018
This is a beginning chapter book for young readers. It is a gentle fantasy with each chapter focused on one of the residents of Oddfellow's Orphanage. Each child is a misfit in one way or another, but accepted just as they are, an important message for children. I loved the different animals in the book, the bears being my personal favorites. There are little lessons in each story about things like friendship, sharing, and caring for others. Adding to the charm of the stories, are the beautiful illustrations. My ten year old self would have been in love with this book!
July 3, 2019
This was a cute little story about a girl acclimating to a lovely little orphanage. It’s got whimsy and fun with some sadder moments along the way. There was nothing incredibly deep or meaningful in this story and it honestly doesn’t really go anywhere. I thought there would be a little more depth or intrigue, but there just wasn’t. Overall, it just made me happy and I liked how quirky it was.
The illustrations are easily my favorite part and add so much!
3 stars - not the greatest story ever but cute, sweet and simple!
The illustrations are easily my favorite part and add so much!
3 stars - not the greatest story ever but cute, sweet and simple!
March 18, 2020
What do an onion-headed boy, a child-sized hedgehog, and a tattooed girl have in common? They are all orphans at Oddfellow's Orphanage!
This unusual and charming chapter book tells an episodic story that follows a new orphan, Delia, as she discovers the delights of her new home.
From classes in Cryptozoology and Fairy Tale Studies to trips to the circus, from Annual Hair Cutting Day to a sea monster-sighting field trip, things at Oddfellows are anything but ordinary . . . except when it comes to friendships.
The soft pencil drawings are just lovely! 🌹🌹🌹🌹😁
This unusual and charming chapter book tells an episodic story that follows a new orphan, Delia, as she discovers the delights of her new home.
From classes in Cryptozoology and Fairy Tale Studies to trips to the circus, from Annual Hair Cutting Day to a sea monster-sighting field trip, things at Oddfellows are anything but ordinary . . . except when it comes to friendships.
The soft pencil drawings are just lovely! 🌹🌹🌹🌹😁
March 9, 2023
Oddfellow's Orphanage was absolutely fantastic! This is an amazing book that is perfect for readers of any age, as I'm 42 but truly enjoyed this lovely little book and I now definitely would like to read it again but this time with my 9 year old son. This is also my 2nd book by this author, the first being - Snow & Rose, which I absolutely LOVED and I'm just as amazed with this one as - Snow & Rose. And the author does such beautiful illustrations as well and they add so much to the story and I must say that she's such an amazing author and artist. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews