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Otis the Tractor #4
An Otis Christmas
A new Christmas classic from the #1 bestselling creator of Otis and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could.
"Charming and full of the warmth and love of friends and family, this choice is lovely for sharing."-- The Repository
It's Christmas eve on the farm where Otis and all of his friends live. The farmer has given Otis his first real Christmas present--a shiny new horn! A tree has been decorated, a big snowstorm is on its way, and all of the animals are excited. Best of all, one of the horses on the farm is about to give birth to a foal! Yet in the middle of the night the horse begins neighing in pain and when the farmer says, "We'd better get Doc Baker out here or we'll lose 'em both," Otis knows the horse is in trouble. Snow has been falling hard for hours and the roads are unpassable. How will they got Doc? Otis to the rescue! He knows a shortcut through the woods and he arrives at the doc's house flashing his headlights and revving his engine. When Doc fails to awake, Otis uses his new horn. Then, with Doc in tow, he races back to the farm just in time for a Christmas miracle . . . and the arrival of a new friend to play with.
A warm, feel-good Christmas story featuring everyone's favorite tractor, Otis, the friend you can always count on. From the creator of Otis , Otis and the Puppy , and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama.
Praise for OTIS
* “Long’s gouache and pencil artwork is stunning with a red and cream main character against a sepia-toned monochromatic background. The overall effect is nostalgic and comforting as readers bond with the determined little tractor . . . the satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children.” — School Library Journal, on Otis , starred review
“Hearkens to the golden age of picture books, with a style and tone that recall the work of Virginia Lee Burton and Munro Leaf.” — Booklist, on Otis and the Tornado
“Children will be delighted with this story about friendship” — School Library Journal, on Otis and the Tornado
“ Fans of Otis will not be disappointed with the satisfying ending that results in a creative solution and a most happy reunion. Seek this out—“game on!” — Kirkus Reviews , on Otis and the Puppy
"Charming and full of the warmth and love of friends and family, this choice is lovely for sharing."-- The Repository
It's Christmas eve on the farm where Otis and all of his friends live. The farmer has given Otis his first real Christmas present--a shiny new horn! A tree has been decorated, a big snowstorm is on its way, and all of the animals are excited. Best of all, one of the horses on the farm is about to give birth to a foal! Yet in the middle of the night the horse begins neighing in pain and when the farmer says, "We'd better get Doc Baker out here or we'll lose 'em both," Otis knows the horse is in trouble. Snow has been falling hard for hours and the roads are unpassable. How will they got Doc? Otis to the rescue! He knows a shortcut through the woods and he arrives at the doc's house flashing his headlights and revving his engine. When Doc fails to awake, Otis uses his new horn. Then, with Doc in tow, he races back to the farm just in time for a Christmas miracle . . . and the arrival of a new friend to play with.
A warm, feel-good Christmas story featuring everyone's favorite tractor, Otis, the friend you can always count on. From the creator of Otis , Otis and the Puppy , and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama.
Praise for OTIS
* “Long’s gouache and pencil artwork is stunning with a red and cream main character against a sepia-toned monochromatic background. The overall effect is nostalgic and comforting as readers bond with the determined little tractor . . . the satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children.” — School Library Journal, on Otis , starred review
“Hearkens to the golden age of picture books, with a style and tone that recall the work of Virginia Lee Burton and Munro Leaf.” — Booklist, on Otis and the Tornado
“Children will be delighted with this story about friendship” — School Library Journal, on Otis and the Tornado
“ Fans of Otis will not be disappointed with the satisfying ending that results in a creative solution and a most happy reunion. Seek this out—“game on!” — Kirkus Reviews , on Otis and the Puppy
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2013
About the author
Loren Long
103 books132 followersI grew up in Lexington, Kentucky in the 1970’s. We had no artists of any kind in the family. We didn’t know any artists. I liked sports, especially baseball. My mother read to me a lot. But I have to admit, my favorite subject in school was gym class. I also liked to draw. My parents encouraged me to keep drawing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 10, 2017
It's Christmas on the farm and Otis is all ready. What is even more exciting is that his friend, the horse, is expecting a foal. The farmer comes in with special treats for all the animals and Otis, before wishing them all a Merry Christmas and making his way back inside. As Otis sleeps, he is roused by voices speaking in distress. Additionally, a large snowfall has buried the farm under a blanket of immovable precipitation. With the horse in trouble, Otis takes it upon himself to fetch the doctor, fearing that two lives may be in danger. Able to rouse the doctor, Otis rushes him back to the farm, where the miracles begin. By the end, Otis learns all about the special warmth that Christmas can bring. Neo liked the story and its happy ending, even though there is no snow here...yet!
November 30, 2017
My students LOVED this book. They enjoyed how a tracker saved the day and they could relate to the farm life and tons of snow.
December 18, 2021
Otis the tractor returns in this fourth full-length picture-book devoted to his adventures, looking forward to a merry Christmas on the farm. Not only is he given his first ever Christmas present - a horn, just like the truck has! - but his friend the horse is expecting a foal. But then on Christmas Eve, just when a terrible blizzard strikes, making travel difficult, the horse goes into a difficult labor, and the doctor is needed. Otis, frightened but determined to help his friend, sets out to fetch help himself...
Although An Otis Christmas is the fourth picture-book about Otis and his friends on the farm, it is only the second that I have read. I enjoyed the initial story quite a bit, and thought it had both nostalgic and contemporary appeal. The same could be said here, with the lovely, vintage-feeling artwork, and the idyllic farm setting, as well as the vehicular excitement. I appreciated the holiday message here, that the greatest gifts of all are those of love and friendship, and imagine that younger children will find Otis' nighttime journey quite involving. Recommended to all Otis fans, and to anyone looking for sweet Christmas stories for the picture-book set.
Although An Otis Christmas is the fourth picture-book about Otis and his friends on the farm, it is only the second that I have read. I enjoyed the initial story quite a bit, and thought it had both nostalgic and contemporary appeal. The same could be said here, with the lovely, vintage-feeling artwork, and the idyllic farm setting, as well as the vehicular excitement. I appreciated the holiday message here, that the greatest gifts of all are those of love and friendship, and imagine that younger children will find Otis' nighttime journey quite involving. Recommended to all Otis fans, and to anyone looking for sweet Christmas stories for the picture-book set.
December 6, 2013
I like to have a few Christmas books in our library -- okay, a LOT -- and every year we add some more. This is one we added this year.
I read it to my 5 year old son, and he was excited that Otis got a present, straight away at the beginning of the story. Then, Otis makes a daring decision, and helps to bring a new baby to his barn. When we got to the point where the author reveals the special baby, my son said (without any prompting or clues!), "Ohhhh, that's his real present."
Five-star book, clearly.
I read it to my 5 year old son, and he was excited that Otis got a present, straight away at the beginning of the story. Then, Otis makes a daring decision, and helps to bring a new baby to his barn. When we got to the point where the author reveals the special baby, my son said (without any prompting or clues!), "Ohhhh, that's his real present."
Five-star book, clearly.
December 15, 2017
My daughter and I never cried so hard.
November 6, 2013
You never know what you are going to get with a Christmas book and a now-well-known picture book character, but you can count on Loren Long... This is a beautiful Christmas story in keeping with Otis' character.
We see the farmer praying, and we see a wonderful sign from the Biblical Christmas story (no spoiler!--but you might need a tissue).
I'm reading this on November 6, and it's too early for Christmas books at my house, but I think we will read this one now and enjoy it again (and again and...) in December.
We see the farmer praying, and we see a wonderful sign from the Biblical Christmas story (no spoiler!--but you might need a tissue).
I'm reading this on November 6, and it's too early for Christmas books at my house, but I think we will read this one now and enjoy it again (and again and...) in December.
November 26, 2018
Heartwarming story about a farm tractor who helps save the life of an ailing pregnant horse on a snowstorm Christmas Eve. The illustrations are beautiful and text is thoughtfully written. There is some slight metaphoric reference to the Christian Christmas story. The strongest pages for me were when the farmer prayed for a miracle, thinking all hope was lost, and the page moment when the foal is born and the characters are shown looking in awe inside the barn at it amidst a warm glow. Excellent book.
November 10, 2018
It's Christmas on the farm, and the horse is about to have a foal. During the night, the horse starts to neigh in pain. The farmer needs to get Doc out to the farm to save the horse and foal. The snow that has been falling makes traveling difficult, but Otis has a plan. A sweet and cute Christmas story with Otis and friends. Love the illustrations.
May 8, 2014
Oh, Otis ... I never thought we would appreciate stories about a friendly little tractor as much as we do when we find an Otis book.
Otis' Christmas is meaningful, yet full of anticipation and worry for the horse having difficulty with her labour. I wont spoil the ending but I will point out how much care is taken by Loren Long to craft a few simple messages of gift giving, prayer, hope and a real sense of love throughout the story.
I have a fondness for Otis developing with each story.
The illustrations have a magical way of transporting the reader right into the story!
Oh, Otis...
Otis' Christmas is meaningful, yet full of anticipation and worry for the horse having difficulty with her labour. I wont spoil the ending but I will point out how much care is taken by Loren Long to craft a few simple messages of gift giving, prayer, hope and a real sense of love throughout the story.
I have a fondness for Otis developing with each story.
The illustrations have a magical way of transporting the reader right into the story!
Oh, Otis...
January 26, 2019
One of the better of Bechdel's "parlor gift books.' I love the paintings, even if I do find the theme a bit heavy on the syrupy drama and low on originality.
January 4, 2025
This book was not what I had expected. Things start off normal enough with the farmer shown decorating a Christmas tree and gifting Otis a shiny new horn; the winter landscape illustrations are my favorite part of this book. Things take a turn when an expecting horse needs to see the doctor; the farmer says they need to get the doctor out to the farm tonight "or we'll lose 'em both!" The farmer sends "one of his helpers" to go get the doctor but the nameless character does not make it far before sliding down the hill and plunging into a snowdrift; I hope that person is okay, but I don't know because Long keeps moving right along with the story! Otis decides to go get the doctor himself, gets lost in the woods, and then "bravely head[s] down a dangerous path"; "The way down was slippery. It took all of Otis's courage to keep going," the book reads. Otis gets the doctor and is headed back to the farm when readers learn that the expecting horse is lying still and hardly breathing, which seemed dark for a Christmas board book! "The farmer prayed for a miracle," reads the next page with an illustration of the farmer on his knees with his hands clasped in prayer. In the end a foal is born with a star-shaped marking on their head and people from all over the valley come to see the Christmas foal on Christmas Day after the roads are cleared of snow.
January 2, 2021
One of the horses on Otis’ farm is having a foal and needs help in Christmas Eve night. A big snowstorm makes it impossible for the farmers to fetch the doctor, so Otis steps in. He shows bravery during his trek through the woods to find the doctor just in time. There’s definitely some religious undertones here but it’s still a secular Christmas story.
I personally don’t love Otis as much as it seems others do, I think the books tend to be a little wordy and border on preachy/too outright with the lesson or moral. I also don’t really love the illustration style. So overall this doesn’t rank with my favorite Christmas books, but it’s fine as a filler for December reading time.
I personally don’t love Otis as much as it seems others do, I think the books tend to be a little wordy and border on preachy/too outright with the lesson or moral. I also don’t really love the illustration style. So overall this doesn’t rank with my favorite Christmas books, but it’s fine as a filler for December reading time.
December 6, 2018
Otis the tractor loves Christmas on the farm. Farmer hangs lights and decorates a tree. And this year there will be an even bigger surprise: there will be a new foal! When the night comes the mama horse is in trouble and Farmer can't get to the veterinarian due to the snow. But Otis knows the way to the vet's house and can get through the snow. He gets lost along the way but eventually finds the right house. He has trouble waking the doc until he remembers to use his brand new horn!
He wakes the doc and takes him back to the farm where he is able to save both mama and foal.
He wakes the doc and takes him back to the farm where he is able to save both mama and foal.
January 26, 2020
Otis the tractor is needed to save the day at Christmas.
As with all the Otis books, this is high drama before everything is okay in the end. When we first started reading Otis books my (then 2 year old) son found them way too scary, even knowing how they turned out. If your child is sensitive like that, they may not like this. But otherwise, it's a heartwarming tale.
Otis books are also fairly long to read aloud - whether that concerns you from an attention span perspective or just your own poor tired voice.
As with all the Otis books, this is high drama before everything is okay in the end. When we first started reading Otis books my (then 2 year old) son found them way too scary, even knowing how they turned out. If your child is sensitive like that, they may not like this. But otherwise, it's a heartwarming tale.
Otis books are also fairly long to read aloud - whether that concerns you from an attention span perspective or just your own poor tired voice.
January 11, 2020
Otis was a happy little tractor, excited about Christmas coming and the new foal that was soon to be born to his horse friend. During a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, the farmer discovered his horse was having trouble. When a farmhand tried to go for help, the truck got stuck in the deep snow. Otis realized he had to be the one to get Doc Baker to save the horse and her baby.
And exciting story with a wonderful ending and great illustrations.
And exciting story with a wonderful ending and great illustrations.
December 26, 2017
Can Otis get Doc Baker to the barn in time to save the horse and her fold? NO SPOILERS. At first glance, this book looks verbose, long-winded and taxing for the little eyes. Upon further reading, the reader finds a wonderful Christmas story of hope and miracles (clapping my hands and shouting "I believe in Christmas miracles! I believe in Christmas miracles!"
January 1, 2024
A tractor with magical powers is on a mission to save the day when a snowstorm prevents help from reaching the farm during a horse’s breech birth on Christmas Eve. Engaging illustrations featuring Long’s distinctive style keep readers involved in the tractor’s life-saving quest, but who will steer and blow Otis’ shiny new horn?
December 26, 2016
My young niece introduced me to this heartwarming book. Perfect for this time of year. Might be a little nerve-wracking for young readers, but events are resolved joyously. Niece took it out twice before Christmas.
December 9, 2019
It's Christmas eve on the farm, and Otis is looking forward to Christmas day. When trouble erupts along with a snow storm, Otis must brave the elements to bring help. His heroic efforts helps bring the greatest gift to the farm.
July 23, 2020
I thought that this book was kind of cute. A very typical Christmas story but it was sweet. Also if anyone watches Dr. Pol on National Geographic then your kids will get a kick of the vet doc in this book. I would recommend this book to others.
January 27, 2023
This Kindle edition has beautiful pictures and a "Read-A-Long" feature read by country music star Trace Adkins. Otis the tractor is saving the day on the farm this Christmas. Enjoy this holiday Gem !
December 21, 2023
I didn't screen this book before I read it to my kid. As a mother with a stillborn child, I was not expecting a story about a tractor that keeps a mother and child from dying during childbirth. I think it's a little heavy for a kid missing their brother this Christmas.
December 13, 2016
As wonderfully adorable as all the other Otis books! This time it's Christmas and Otis has to brave the winter storm to bring the Doc to the farm.
December 27, 2016
I love the Otis books and this one is no exception! Such a sweet story of a helpful tractor, a blizzard, and a new baby horse!
January 15, 2018
Wonderful illustrations and a nice, feel-good story that will appeal to kids.
January 25, 2018
This was a rather intense read in terms of the conflict. But luckily everything works out in the end!
June 29, 2018
GRL: M
DRA: 24
DRA: 24
December 17, 2018
A sweet story about a Christmas miracle brought about with the help of a brave little tractor.
December 21, 2018
Sweet Christmas story!
January 9, 2019
So fun! Otis is just a really lovable character, and this book isn’t the same as every other Christmas book. It’s a fresh, lovely story. ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews