OTIS

Loren Long

MSRP $17.99, 40 Pages.

Published by Philomel.

A frisky tractor befriends a calf.

New York Times bestselling author/artist Loren Long creates an unforgettable children's classic.

Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends: they play in the fields, leap hay bales, and play ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond.

But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed . . . until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. Then there is only one tractor—and it’s not big or yellow—who can come to the rescue. It is little old Otis who saves his friend. It is Otis who saves the day.

In a wonderful new palette, and in the tradition of classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand, Loren Long has crafted an unforgettable new story—and character—celebrating the power of friendship and perseverance.

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Customer Reviews

Love Lasts

Rating

A tractor named Otis worked hard each day with his farmer. When the farmer brought a baby calf to the barn, Otis and the calf formed a fast friendship. But when the farmer brought a new, big yellow tractor to the barn, Otis started to go to waste. Until, one day, the baby calf got stuck in Mud Pond, and nobody could get him out. Nobody, that is, but Otis, who circled round and round the pond. Proving that newer isn't better, Otis came back to life and work again on the farm, a special tractor for a special farm. This story of friendship and age will appeal to 3-6-year-olds.

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My new favorite book!

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This caught my eye because although my son is a bit beyond picture books, he loves everything car-truck-tractor related. I immediately fell in love with the illustrations/artwork when I saw the book at my local book store, and now that we've checked out the book from the library and read the story, I love that too!

Beautiful artwork and a very sweet story!

Now that we waited to read it until we could check it out of the library, I realize that this will be one we will read many many times, and so I plan to purchase it as soon as possible!

This has been a hit with both my son and daughter; it has a little something for everyone.

Kudos to Amazon for including the video clip of the author discussing the story and the technique used for the artwork!

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A little gem

Rating

A sweet story about the comfort an old, caring tractor brings to a lonely calf and the friendship that blooms between them. This seems like such a classic story and the illustrations had a timeless feel to them that I simply loved! The text was fairly predictable, but the story was told with warmth and tenderness (in both words and illustrations) and I couldn't help but be touched by the story.

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Our new favorite book

Rating

The story of Otis tugs at the heartstrings while engaging visual interest with Caldecott worthy illustrations. This is new family favorite at our house; one whose timeless story will endure the test of time.

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Love this book

Rating

We love this book! My son is 4 and has loved reading this book. The pictures are beautiful and the story is very sweet. Would highly recommend!

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