Odella's hobby is a very good one to have, especially for children: reading. Whenever Jacqueline and the others can't find Odella, they don't get in the least bit worried; they know she'll be hiding underneath the kitchen table with a book in her hand, a glass of milk, and a small bowl of peanuts beside her.

Odella clearly loves to read. How much? Well, even if her siblings call her name out loud, slap their hands loudly on the table, dance around it, screaming, hollering, and singing "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountains" at the tops of their voices, Odella won't stir. She'll just sit there quietly, turning the page of whatever book she happens to be reading.

As well as being an avid reader, Odella's also very good at handwriting, and she helps her little sister Jacqueline write her name. It is largely thanks to Odella that Jacqueline develops a love of words.