Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates, written by Bobby Orr and Kara Kootstra and illustrated by Jennifer Phelan. tundra, Penguin Random House, 2020. $21.99 ages 8 and up

"It wasn't easy adjusting to the "new" 
Hand-Me-Down skates at hockey practice.

In the first drill, he tripped and fell 
backwards onto the ice.

During his second drill, a speed skating
exercise, Bobby knocked down every 
single pylon."

Anyone who loves hockey knows the name Bobby Orr. He has long been touted as one of the best players the sport has ever seen. His hockey story began, as do many, when he was a young boy. He was a sporty kid, living near a big lake. He loved fishing and baseball; he LOVED hockey. He played every chance he got! 

His dream for his 11th birthday was to have a brand-new pair of skates. He knew exactly which pair he wanted: 

"They were made of smooth, black leather.
The blades were an untouched gleaming silver. 
And the bright white laces were tied in perfect bows."

He loved those skates. He made sure his parents knew the ones he coveted through hints, pictures, pointing them out when they passed the sporting goods store, and constantly reminded them how tight his old skates were. Instead of those skates, he got his brother's hand-me-downs. They were sharp and they had new laces, but ... 

The skates were too big and had to be stuffed in the toe with newspaper until he grew into them. He let his parents know how much he appreciated the gift. It did take some time for him to get used to wearing them; there were a few mishaps. Things got better as he became accustomed to their feel. Those skates went with Bobby everywhere he went. He played on. 

By his 12th birthday a friend of his father had taken note of his skills, and offered a brand-new pair of skates. One year after his hand-me-down skates Bobby got the pair he had always wanted. Paying it forward with the skates he had come to love, he passed them to down to his smaller brother. The two couldn't wait to play hockey together. 

Ms. Phelan's oil pastel and watercolor illustrations add depth and warmth to this nostalgic story.