Otis (utgåvan 2009)

This story of friendship is simply heartwarming. The illustrations have a lot of variety and a lot of movement to them. ( )

Otis is an old tractor who leads a simple life that he loves--working in the fields, playing on the farm, and sitting under the apple tree. When a new calf comes to the farm, Otis comforts him and they become fast friends. Everything is great until one day the farmer comes home with a brand new, shiny yellow tractor. Otis loses his spot in the barn and is left out back among the weeds. But when the calf gets stuck deep in the mud, no one can save him...except his best friend.

Otis loved his farmer and his job, but what he loved more is playing after work and hanging out with his friend, baby calf. Until the farmer gets a brand new yellow tractor. Otis is then left behind the barn. The only thing that could get Otis out from retirement is the baby calf getting stuck in the mud... the farmer knows Otis is the only one for the job.

The story is great for asking WH questions, like how did Otis save the little calf? Who helped the little calf sleep at night? It is also great for talking about how friendship can save someone’s life like what Otis did with the little calf.

Aww... gotta love the steampunk-style illustrations. But it is actually about a little tractor that saves the day. Cute, but not, imo, all that special. ( )