Booksellers –
Get terrific new sign, shelf-talker, and e-card files here!
OTIS
by Loren Long
Philomel Books / Penguin Young Readers Group
www.penguin.com/lorenlong
www.lorenlong.com
$17.99 Hardcover
ISBN 978-0-399-25248-8
Children’s picture book / farm life / tractors / friendship
Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farm and especially his friend the little calf. An inspired story of loyalty and friendship that children (and grown-ups) will want to read again and again!
“Move over, Mike Mulligan! OTIS has the look and feel of a book that’s been around for generations. Beautifully illustrated and gently told, this charming new book tells the story of a little red tractor and his friendship with the little calf in the stall next to him. When progress comes to the farm in the way of a huge, shiny yellow tractor, Otis is forced into retirement. But when the little calf gets into trouble, only Otis can save the day. There is not a single KAPOW, WHIZ, or CRUNCH in the whole book, but this timeless tale is one kids will be clamoring to hear over and over again.”
– Nancy Caffoe, Bookcase of Wayzata, Wayzata, MN“OTIS by Loren Long is my very favorite tractor story ever! It’s sure to be a hit with every pre-schooler here at The Bookworm!! ”
– Ellen Scott, The Bookworm, Omaha, NE“I loved it!! The online pictures of the cover do not do the illustrations justice! It is a touching story about friendship that either boys or girls will enjoy. And did I mention the illustrations are gorgeous?! This one should be an easy sell!!”
– Angie Grafstrom, Inspiration Hollow, Roseau, MN
With a style all their own but reminiscent of the work of greats like Grant Wood and Robert Lawson, Loren Long’s illustrations are destined to stand the test of time. Like the characters in Long’s bestsellers The Little Engine That Could and Toy Boat, Otis the tractor represents the sprit of our country and truly is a new American hero!
Featured now in the 2009 MBA Catalog –
Books – A Reader’s Catalog
– at participating MBA member bookstores!
Buy this book from your favorite locally owned and operated Midwest independent bookseller! Click here for the directory of our member bookstores.
Watch this video trailer for OTIS
Link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOHUFenpN5Q
Embed it on your site (copy and paste the following code):
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Booksellers — Earn up to $100 in rebates from MBA for promoting OTIS!
Midwest Connections rebate form for OTIS (PDF)
Author Loren Long was one of our featured speakers at the 2009 MBA Trade Show Children’s Book & Author Breakfast. Go to the Trade Show pages of this website for more information.
OTIS will be advertised in the 2009 MBA Catalog, coming in early November to participating MBA member bookstores. Go to the Catalog pages of this website for all the details.
Order OTIS from your Penguin sales rep or your preferred wholesalers. Ask your Penguin sales rep about coop advertising opportunities, too. You also can order a special OTIS promo kit from Penguin — contact your Penguin sales rep for assistance!
For more information about OTIS and to inquire about events with author/illustrator Loren Long , please contact publicists Samantha Dell’Olio at 212.414.3464 or Samantha.Dell’Olio@us.penguingroup.com or Casey McIntyre at 212.414.3467 or Casey.McIntyre@us.penguingroup.com.
DOWNLOADS
- OTIS full color sign/flyer (PDF ) — NEW!
- OTIS full color shelf-talker (PDF) — NEW!
- OTIS e-card (JPG) – NEW!
Publisher press release (PDF) - Book photo (JPG)
- Author photo (JPG)
- Midwest Connections rebate form for OTIS (PDF)
– NEW! - Midwest Connections Generic Display Materials
ABOUT THE BOOK
OTIS is a loveable and timeless tale written and illustrated by Loren Long, the American illustrator of the New York Times bestsellers The Little Engine That Could and Toy Boat. Long’s work has become a favorite among reviewers and booksellers and has been the recipient of much critical acclaim. He is a two-time Golden Kite Award winner and the recipient of two gold medals from The Society of Illustrators.
The New York Times boasted, “Loren Long’s pictures make the wonder of the stars, of the imagination rather than the analytical intelligence, as visible to us as it was to Walt Witman.” In a starred review of Toy Boat, Booklist praised, “Long’s acrylic, hyperrealistic pictures, awash with many shades of blue, are so substantial they seem to be molded from clay.” Dedicated fans and new readers will marvel at Long’s latest unforgettable character and breathtaking depiction of the American landscape in a story that he has captured perfectly through written word and art.
Otis is an adorable red tractor who loves to live and work on the farm. One night, a baby calf joins him in the adjacent stall of the barn but whimpers the night away because she misses her mother. Otis’ engine putt puff puttedy chuffs throughout the night and eventually puts the scared calf to sleep. This becomes the start of a wonderful friendship, and the two spend each day leapfrogging bales of hay and playing ring-round-the-rosy in the fields.
When the farmer decides to replace Otis with a sparkling new yellow tractor, Otis is cast away behind the barn. The little calf is forced to sleep next to the new, loud tractor whose purr is not calm and soothing but loud and fierce. Otis soon becomes a distant memory for the rest of the farm, but not for the calf because she misses him terribly. But when the baby calf gets stuck in the mud pond and the farm hands and the fire engines can’t dig her out, it is good old Otis who comes to rescue her and saves the day.
In the tradition of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand, OTIS is an endearing story about love, friendship and loyalty set in the beautiful heartland. Long’s perfect style and distinct story telling ability are quickly making him a household name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR
“Loren Long’s pictures make the wonder of the stars, of the imagination rather than the analytical intelligence, as visible to us as it was to Walt Whitman.” — The New York Times
LOREN LONG is a Midwesterner, having grown up in Missouri and attended school at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He played baseball—loved baseball—and other sports, and adored art and story. He pursued graduate-level studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago after graduating with a BA in Graphic Design/Art Studio from Kentucky.
He is best known for his illustration of Madonna’s Mr. Peabody’s Apples and the New York Times bestsellers Toy Boat and the re-illustrated classic The Little Engine That Could. He is also the author/illustrator of the critically acclaimed picture book The Little Drummer Boy (2008).
Visit his website at www.lorenlong.com
Recent bookstore events with Loren Long
September 24, 7:00 PM
Reading and signing
Watermark Books
Wichita, KS
September 26, 2:00 PM
Meet the author – and maybe a tractor & a baby calf!
Wild Rumpus
Minneapolis, MN
September 27, 4:00 PM
Reading and signing
Red Balloon Bookshop
St. Paul, MN
