"Otis"

Book: Otis by Loren Long (available in board book shown above and regular print editions)

Target audience: Probably 2 and up

Topic: Friendship, farm life

Basic summary: The tractor named Otis's friend, the little calf, helps him pull through a tough transition.

Otis is a sweet little story about a tractor who needs to find a new purpose after the farmer replaces him with a newer model. We learn that even the older, smaller tractor has an important use when the prized little calf needs help. The illustrations depict an older era of farming, and the personality of Otis the tractor is friendly and lovable. 

My kids love the nurturing relationship between Otis and the calf and were able to sit through this rather long story from an early age. There is a board book edition too that may be better for younger readers. Despite as many as 60 words on some pages even in that edition, my daughter at age two enjoyed the story and wanted it read repeatedly. There's just something about Otis and this heart-warming story that has made it a favorite around here.

The sequel: A new book by Long about Otis has just come out. It's called Otis and the Tornado and it's a wonderful read as well.