Otis

Otis

Written & illustrated by: Loren Long

Philomel Books, 2009

40 pages

Picture Book – Fantasy

            I chose Otis because I thought this book would be a great fantasy book to read to a younger age group. Otis is a small, red tractor who enjoys his days on the farm. He befriends a baby calf who misses its mother. The tractor and cow become the best of friends. Soon after, the farmer buys a big, yellow tractor and no longer needs Otis. Otis and the calf remain friends. The calf finds itself in some big trouble, and Otis is the only one who can save the calf.

            Loren Long, the author and illustrator of Otis created her illustrations in gouache and pencil. Long uses dark, warm colors in her illustrations. It seems as though  Otis’s red color is the brightest color in the book. Otis stands out among the dark grays, greens, and charcoals. The gouache and pencil seem to be the perfect mediums to use when portraying a farm.

            Otis is appropriate for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Since this book is geared more toward younger ages, I would use this book to teach the difference between realism and fantasy to a 1^st grade class. Otis could also be used for a 1^st grade science lesson. I would use this book to teach my 1^st graders about farms and the machines and animals that work on the farm. I love the story of friendship that this book conveys. I could also read this book to my 1^st grade students when giving a mini-lesson on how to be a good friend.