published September 22nd 2009 by Philomel

details Hardcover, 40 pages

isbn 0399252487

From Goodreads…” 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. “

I picked up Otis a couple of weeks ago at Barnes and Noble because I have a special spot in my heart for anything red and retro, not to mention I frequently photograph tractors near my home. The illustrations are priceless and the story is heart warming teaching the importance of special friends. Sometimes old is in fact better than new. Five out of five stars for this soon to be classic!