Book Details:
- Format: Hardcover
- Publication Date: 9/6/2011
- Pages: 40
- Reading Level: Age 3 and Up
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Book Description
Book Details:
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From Loren Long: A Letter to Fans
Dear Reader,
I first drove an old tractor working on a Lexington, Kentucky horse farm for a summer job during my college years.
It was ancient and rusty but steady and dependable and still contributed to the farm.
I loved driving that old tractor.
I had no idea back then that I'd become a children's book author and illustrator someday...let alone write and illustrate my own story about a little tractor named Otis.
Those days back on the horse farm served as part of the inspiration for Otis, the little tractor who loves to work hard and play hard with his friends on the farm that he loves.
Otis and the Tornado is about friendship and loyalty. I hoped to create a character that children will revere as much as I did the books I loved when I was little. A character and a book that becomes a trusted friend, who loves to have fun and who is fiercely loyal, brave and trustworthy.
I had so much fun creating Otis that my publisher and I decided to do another Otis story, Otis and the Tornado. In this new Otis story you'll read how Otis encounters a storm but also how he handles a new character on the farm that is just plain mean.
Otis and the Tornado is about empathy and bravery.
I hope you'll share Otis with a little one in your life. And together you'll get to know a spunky little tractor who works hard and plays hard and always has time for another friend. I hope that new friend is you.
Putt-puff!
Loren
About the Author
Loren Long grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. He pursued graduate-level studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago after graduating with a BA in Graphic Design/Art Studio from the University of Kentucky. After graduation Long worked as an illustrator for a greeting card company in Cincinnati before beginning his career as a freelance illustrator.
Since then, Long has received numerous accolades for his fluid WPA painting style. He has been awarded two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators in New York, and has been frequently selected for their annual exhibition and book. His work has also appeared in many other major annual exhibitions such as American Illustration, Communication Arts, Step By Step Graphics and Print.
Long’s clients include Time Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Atlantic Monthly, Boy’s Life, Land’s End, Sports Illustrated and HBO. He has also illustrated book covers for numerous publishers and has recently concentrated on illustrating books for young readers where his work has garnered much recognition and praise.
Recent awards/accolades:
2002
The United Nations chose to hang in their lobby Long’s painting of a firefighter in action, along with 21 other selections from the Prevailing Human Spirit Show at the Society of Illustrators.
2003
Recipient of the Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration, presented by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for I Dream of Trains. The book was also selected as one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2003.
2004
Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award.
Illustrates New York Times #1 best-seller, Mr. Peabody’s Apples
To learn more about Loren Long and his books, go to www.lorenlong.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By MIKE G
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read Otis to my grandkids last weekend and what a Gem. Otis represents all that is good as he tries his best to accomodate all of the creatures on the farm. Mr bull will have nothing to do with the others as he holds court in his small kingdom, the field. All of a suddenl things take a turn for the worse and Otis, as all heros, makes sure the group is taken care of as he finds protection. However, the hated bull is found to be missing and Otis goes looking for him despite the danger. As often the case with "BULLIES", Mr. Bull is found trembeling and very much afraid of his own skin. Otis takes charge and despite the past takes the bull to safety. In the end, all is happy and the future seem bright. What a marvalous tale to tell the kids. It is much like Billy Whiskers, The Little Engine that Could and others,. Alls well that ends well!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By KDH
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was so excited to see that a second otis book was being released that i did pre-order it for my boys (4 and 2 1/2). This book is similar to the first - great story, amazing illustrations, cute/happy ending. My oldest is scared of thunderstorms and everytime there is a wind storm he asks if a tornado is coming (not quite sure why...) so i was a little nervous that this would be too scary for him...while he does show nervousness (partly due to the tone and inflection i tend to read the scary parts with) He slept fine and continues to ask to read the tornado otis book over and over. The general story line is that otis and all his friends are scared of the mean bull on the farm - they try to befriend him, but nothing doing...when the tornado comes otis leaves his safe place to go and help the bull still trapped in his pen...they both make it to safety, just in time, and the bull changes his ways and becomes a friend to otis and all the farm animals. Loren Long is a great author and would highly recommend both otis books!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Heidi Grange
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'll say right off the bat that I am a big fan of Otis. I fell in love with him the minute I read the first book. So much so that I ordered the stuffed toy. I like this book even better than first. The large, bright illustrations make this book perfect as a read-a-loud. The picture of the bull does a great job of emphasizing his bigness and grumpiness. The writing is clear and crisp and great for reading out-loud. I found it easy to change my tone of voice with the changing emotion of the story. The second graders I read this to enjoyed it also. In fact, one class that usually cannot be quiet for any length of time, became silent when I started reading this book. That to me is the best sign of a great book, when the students become so intently focused on the book. This book has the look and feel of a classic. I will note that some younger children may find the tornado frightening. Highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Otis book
This is our second Otis book. I bought this one for my son's 5th birthday because he really likes the Otis story books. We read it at bedtime and he looks forward to it at night.
Published 2 months ago by jlk1872
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love
I love the first book and I love this one as well!! Wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. My son has been in love with Otis since he was around 4 years old. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lee Ann Blazer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love that little Otis and his Calf
If you like Otis, this is another sweet story about Otis and how he saves an ornery bull who comes to need him. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Educator, Lifelong Learner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging & Beautiful Book
Our grandson (two and a half years old) enjoys this book very much. The story is meaningful and teaches great lessons on friendship, loyalty, courage, persistence and leadership. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Melissa P. Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
My almost 4 year old loves this book. We had it checked out at the library all the time. Finally bought it for him, and he loves to read it every night. He knows it by heart. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Alice
5.0 out of 5 stars
We love Otis!
Fun story about the excitement of farm living. My son loves tractors and farm animals so this book was written for us.
Published 6 months ago by JenR
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting, and stunningly illustrated
An exciting, edge-of-the-seat story, stunningly illustrated, about a tractor named Otis's valiant efforts to save his farm animal friends, including an ornery bull, from a... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Books for Children
5.0 out of 5 stars
My son LOVES this book. A must have.
We started reading the Otis books to our son when he was 2 1/2 and he fell in love with them right away. Read more
Published 10 months ago by ck_361
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old Tractor and Farm Friends
The drawings of Tractor, Otis, and his farm friends in muted colored settings bring an old fashioned charm to this story. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Kathleen C. Howell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book
My daughter is 2.5 but she enjoys books that have more words and more complex story line. I love my daughter asking thoughtful questions about the characters and the story. Read more
Published 19 months ago by andy
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