Review by Booklist Review
Otis the lovable tractor is back with a new adventure. Long sets the scene in a drought, filling the illustrations with dusty grays and golds while the farmhands bale hay to store in the barn. Otis and old friends often enjoy a sociable game of tug-of-war after a long work day, but one afternoon, their relaxation time is disturbed by a cat running toward the barn. Curious about her behavior, Otis notices smoke coming out of the barn windows. Racing after her, Otis realizes her kittens are trapped inside. Otis performs a brave rescue, but before he can get out, the barn floor collapses. Otis' animal friends must help the firefighters save the day. Long's gouache-and-pencil illustrations expertly convey the action and emotion of the story. The large-scale format and carefully considered details add an exciting, cinematic quality to the pictures. For older readers, the narrative is an excellent example of foreshadowing. Otis fans won't be disappointed by this series installment.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Otis the tractor turns first responder when a barn fire imperils a family of kittens. Racing into the barn with a "putt putt puttedy chuff," Otis saves the kittens in short order, but after he plunges through the burning floor, it's up to the barn animals to become the rescuers. Long creates a powerful sense of suspense and danger as charcoal smoke gathers in the sky and bright flames lick the beams of the barn as Otis goes to work, but bravery, loyalty, and gritty determination are the real stars of the story-traits that Otis and his animal friends have in ample supply. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Longtime fans and newbies alike will enjoy Otis the tractor's latest adventure. It's a particularly hot and dry summer in the valley. Otis and his animal friends work hard on the farm, but they still have time for their favorite game, tug-of-war. Their tugging skills save the day when Otis is trapped in a burning barn while rescuing a litter of helpless, big-eyed kittens. As always, perseverance, teamwork, and a heart of gold pay off for Otis and his friends. When read aloud, the text flows off the tongue with sounds ("putt puff putted chuff") and words ("The floor collapsed and Otis plunged to the darkness below") that extend the imagery created in the attractive gouache and pencil illustrations. The compositions make great use of perspective and motion and are expertly laid out to pull the eye to the important characters and action. The painterly images use a nostalgic palette of grays, creamy yellows, rusty oranges, and Otis's signature tractor red. There are wonderful textured details (scratchy straw, smooth chrome) that bring the story to life. VERDICT This first purchase is the perfect lapsit read-aloud, combining the ever-popular subjects of tractors, farm animals, and firefighters.-Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this gripping new Otis adventure, the brave tractor races to an old barn engulfed in flames and realizes kittens are trapped inside the hayloft. Tension escalates when the hero needs help himself, but Otis's barnyard friends and a firefighter save the day using teamwork. The muted palette of gray, cream, and rusty red match the dry summer setting and the drama that ensues. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
