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Summary
Summary
A new Christmas classic from the #1 bestselling creator of Otis and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could.
"Charming and full of the warmth and love of friends and family, this choice is lovely for sharing."-- The Repository
It's Christmas eve on the farm where Otis and all of his friends live. The farmer has given Otis his first real Christmas present--a shiny new horn! A tree has been decorated, a big snowstorm is on its way, and all of the animals are excited. Best of all, one of the horses on the farm is about to give birth to a foal! Yet in the middle of the night the horse begins neighing in pain and when the farmer says, "We'd better get Doc Baker out here or we'll lose 'em both," Otis knows the horse is in trouble. Snow has been falling hard for hours and the roads are unpassable. How will they got Doc? Otis to the rescue! He knows a shortcut through the woods and he arrives at the doc's house flashing his headlights and revving his engine. When Doc fails to awake, Otis uses his new horn. Then, with Doc in tow, he races back to the farm just in time for a Christmas miracle . . . and the arrival of a new friend to play with.
A warm, feel-good Christmas story featuring everyone's favorite tractor, Otis, the friend you can always count on. From the creator of Otis , Otis and the Puppy , and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama.
Praise for OTIS
* "Long's gouache and pencil artwork is stunning with a red and cream main character against a sepia-toned monochromatic background. The overall effect is nostalgic and comforting as readers bond with the determined little tractor . . . the satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children." -- School Library Journal, on Otis , starred review
"Hearkens to the golden age of picture books, with a style and tone that recall the work of Virginia Lee Burton and Munro Leaf." -- Booklist, on Otis and the Tornado
"Children will be delighted with this story about friendship" -- School Library Journal, on Otis and the Tornado
" Fans of Otis will not be disappointed with the satisfying ending that results in a creative solution and a most happy reunion. Seek this out--"game on!" -- Kirkus Reviews , on Otis and the Puppy
Author Notes
Loren Long received a BA in graphic design/art studio from the University of Kentucky and did graduate-level studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He worked as an illustrator for a greeting card company in Cincinnati before beginning his career as a freelance illustrator.
His first picture book, Angela Johnson's I Dream of Trains, won the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Award for picture book illustration. He has illustrated numerous other works including The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna, Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve which won the 2008 Great Lakes Book Award for Children's Picture Book, Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt, and the chapter book series Sluggers that he created with Phil Bildner. His version of Walt Whitman's When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer was a Golden Kite Honor Book. He has written and illustrated several books including Drummer Boy and the Otis series.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Otis is back, this time anticipating Christmas and the birth of a new foal. To add to his excitement, he receives a new horn, his first Christmas present ever. His joy is short-lived, however, when, in the middle of a snowy night, he overhears that the mare is sick: "We need Doc Baker out here tonight or we'll lose 'em both!" When the farmhand sent to get Doc plunges into a snowdrift during the raging storm, Otis, as always, comes to the rescue, setting out "with snow up to his chin." He gets lost in the woods only to discover that he is perched on the precipice of a hill. Bravely heading down a steep, slippery branch, he reaches the doctor's house, alerts him with his horn, and brings him back to save the day. The grayish-blue hues that predominate in Long's lovely, large-framed illustrations create a sense of cold stillness. Executed in gouache and pencil, they depict the red tractor in sharp contrast to countryside and woods blanketed in deep snow. There are few surprises here, and the tree branch jutting from the hill seems forced. Traveling down the branch leads Otis a bit too conveniently almost to Doc Baker's door. Otis's fans may turn to this one, but it is an additional purchase.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Otis the tractor returns in a grim holiday story with odd allusions to the Nativity story. A horse on the farm is set to give birth on Christmas Eve, but when a "big snow" makes the roads impassible, Otis must save the day after the horse is found ailing ("We need Doc Baker out here tonight or we'll lose 'em both," says the farmer). Long's illustrations are typically heroic as Otis attempts a risky midnight drive, but adults and children alike may be perplexed by the glow emanating from the barn when the foal is born, the star marking on its forehead, and the news that "people from all around the valley came... to get a glimpse of the Christmas foal." Ages 3-7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Once again, brave little tractor Otis saves the day in his latest heroic adventure. Otis heads into a Christmas Eve blizzard to fetch Doc Baker in hopes of saving an expecting horse and her foal. Tension builds until Otis's new "special horn" comes in handy. Reserved gouache and pencil illustrations capture the frosty setting while touches of color emit a warm glow. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
As the title indicates, the little tractor Otis celebrates Christmas. Christmas is always exciting, but this one is "even more special," as a baby foal is due. That snowy Christmas Eve is made more thrilling yet when the farmer gives Otis his very first Christmas present: a new horn. Otis can barely contain himself. But in the middle of the night, he awakes to hear the sounds of consternation in the pregnant mare's stall: "Something [is] very wrong." Unfortunately, the snow is falling fast, and the stable hand sent to fetch Doc Baker promptly fishtails into a snowbank. It's Otis to the rescue again. Off he goes, "putt puff puttedy chuff," through the woods (where he is briefly lost) to Doc Baker's, where he uses his new horn to sound the alarm. Doctor and tractor make it back just in time. While Otis is a charming character, and the Christmas theme has great appeal, this is a rather lackluster outing for the sturdy tractor. Long's heroic art is at its best in scenes with people and animals, his Lawson-esque line investing characters with emotion and movement. The rendition of Otis' journey is rather less effective; only the most credulous of children will accept the sight of Otis inching his way down a massive, snow-covered tree trunk. The text likewise underwhelms, with its overreliance on exclamation points and treacly delivery. A rare miss for Long and Otis. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Otis the tractor returns in a Christmas story of courage and friendship set during a terrible snowstorm at the farm. When the mare's labor becomes difficult on Christmas Eve, a vet is needed but the truck is stuck in a snowdrift. Otis makes a brave decision: he'll get Doc. Plowing through the woods on a rescue mission, he finds himself on a difficult path. Long's text conveys not just the danger, treacherous, slippery, but also Otis' effort, putt puff puttedy chuff. But how will he wake Doc in the middle of the night? The farmer's Christmas gift, a shiny new horn, will do the trick. The illustrations wonderfully enhance the story, from the joy of the animals prancing around the Christmas tree to Otis' expressive response to the events around him: pride in his gift, concern for his friend, determination to arrive at his destination. Highlighting the always changing perspective, aerial scenes give readers a sense of the big, snowy picture, and close-ups show the farmer's concern. Long's palette reflects the coldness and heaviness of the snow, and then lightness as the farmer prays for a miracle. The view into the barn door, once all is well, is reminiscent of another barn birth, and the text reads, Well, would you look at that! That sums things up nicely.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2010 Booklist