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Otis is not a book that announces itself loudly.It’s subdued, calm, and almost unassuming and that turns out to be exactly why it works so well as a read-aloud.
Deeeeeep breeeeaaath.... and lets continue.
And what about the art?
Dare I tell you how the stroke of Loren Long's paintbrush, coming from afar brings smiles to the faces of my twins?
Now, please stop reading this post.
Kindly look again at the pictures.
Now let's say it together....
Wow.
Loren Long's illustrated picture books (Otis, Toy Boat and The Little Engine That Could) were among the first "more serious" picture books that I offered to my twins - when they were still two and a half years old.
From Day 1 that we read it - my little girl and boy fell in love with Long's stunning artwork and heartbreaking story.
From Day 1 that we read it - my little girl and boy fell in love with Long's stunning artwork and heartbreaking story.
A story about an old red tractor named Otis.
Sounds familiar?
Another car/truck/tractor story for boys? Think again.
This is a deeper book for both girls and boys that has several layers.
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| A high-energy interior spread from Otis by Loren Long, capturing the joyful motion and visual storytelling that make this book such a favorite for read-alouds. |
Otis is a book about compassion, true friendship, beauty and the value of life.
Long's jovial little tractor adores to work, but after a hard day in the fields - he unwinds by playing around the farm.
One night, while Otis is sleeping in the barn, the farmer brings a little baby calf to sleep in a neighbouring stall.
Fortuntately for the calf, the sound of Otis' motor rumbling "putt puff puttedy chuff" calms it down. It falls asleep.
A friendship is born and the tractor is trailed by the baby calf from that day on, wherever Otis goes.
At the end of each day the two often sit together under an apple tree (in an homage to Munro Leaf's Ferdinand) and watch the barn below.
But everything changes one day when the farmer buys a new yellow tractor and Otis is left to rust outside the barn.
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| A quiet interior spread from Otis by Loren Long, where warm tones and gentle pacing slow the story and invite young readers into a calm nighttime moment. |
Still, Otis' finest hour comes when he saves the little calf from drowning in the nearby Mud Pond - after the farmer, his neighbors, the new modern yellow tractor and the fire department all fail to pull out the baby calf.
This heroic deed reinstates Otis' former status in the farm and he once again becomes an integral part of the farm's day-to-day activities.
The beautiful ending captivates kids who go through a roller-coaster of emotions with Otis - as he sinks from his former glory into the dolldrums of isolation and uplifts himself to heroic status.
I know what you are thinking - there are many beautiful children's stories out there.
You are right.
What makes Otis extra special is the remarkable talent of Long as an illustrator.
The combination of almost fully monochrome drawings in guache (excluding the red color of Otis, the yellow of his rival yellow tractor, brown calf and some small details) and a vibrant and exciting text makes for a unique experience for children.
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| A lively interior spread from Otis by Loren Long, capturing the tractor’s joyful role at the heart of the farm community. |
This is a book that I purchased for its artistic merit, hoping to influence the taste of my kids one day when I become older.
I made a mistake.
There was no need to wait. My kids recognized genius as soon as I opened the book for our first reading.
If you want to expose your kids to an artistic masterpiece, do not wait.
Loren Long's talent as an illustrator is so palpable that it practically spills out from the pages.
Finally, what makes this book an unmissable treat is that the quality and size of the hardcover edition that is simply fantastic for read aloud sessions.
2026 update
Since I wrote this post, Otis took a life of his own, and not in the shallow “here comes another sequel” way.
The series expanded in a way that makes sense if you have ever watched a child latch onto a character who feels safe. Loren Long was onto something with Otis.
The little red tractor is a discrete hero.
Otis is small, steady, and kind. He does not win by being louder than everyone else. He wins by paying attention and showing up.
For context, the original Otis was published in 2009 by Philomel. It later became a Jumpstart “Read for the Record” selection, which is a strong sign that the book moved beyond “popular” into “widely used in read-aloud settings.”
Here are the Otis books that followed, in publication order, with what each one adds to the shelf:
For context, the original Otis was published in 2009 by Philomel. It later became a Jumpstart “Read for the Record” selection, which is a strong sign that the book moved beyond “popular” into “widely used in read-aloud settings.”
Here are the Otis books that followed, in publication order, with what each one adds to the shelf:
2. Otis and the Tornado (2010), Otis picture book 2
This is the book that proved the character has range.
A tornado approaches, the farm animals panic, and Otis turns the chaos into something children can handle by making it into follow-the-leader. That “play as coping strategy” idea is read-aloud gold.
It gives kids a way to feel brave without pretending they are not scared.
The bull matters here too. He is the difficult one, the intimidating one, the one the others would happily forget.
The bull matters here too. He is the difficult one, the intimidating one, the one the others would happily forget.
Otis does not forget him. If you ever want a gentle opening to talk about helping even when someone has not been nice, this story gets there without turning into a lecture.
3. Otis Loves to Play (2012) - does not strictly belong to the picture book series!
This is a shorter, board-book style Otis book, not a picture book of the same format as the original Otis.
This one was built for repetition and little hands. Keep in mind this is not one of the standard picture book Otis series.
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| The cover of Otis Loves to Play by Loren Long, featuring the cheerful red tractor in motion alongside curious geese and scattered apples. |
It is a board book with a much simpler narrative. Essentially, there is no story line and feel free to skip this book if you are seeking one of the Otis picture books with well developed story lines.
The point is play and friendship, and it reads well to young children especially when a child asks for the same book three nights in a row.
It stays in the warm, familiar lane: Otis wants to play, friends join in, everyone ends up included.
I also like it as a “reset” book when bedtime has gotten too buzzy. Quick, cozy, and reliably pleasant.
I also like it as a “reset” book when bedtime has gotten too buzzy. Quick, cozy, and reliably pleasant.
Remember - this is not one of the large picture book editions like the original Otis or Otis and the Tornado.
If you forget later which one is the board book, just look at the book cover - notice it is visually different too?
4. An Otis Christmas (2012), Otis picture book 3
Seasonal books can be disposable. This one is not. It is an exciting adventure!
Fortunately, it keeps the Otis tone: gentle, earnest, and focused on helping. It also works well as a December tradition because it is short enough for sleepy kids, but warm enough that you do not feel like you are rushing through it.
Fortunately, it keeps the Otis tone: gentle, earnest, and focused on helping. It also works well as a December tradition because it is short enough for sleepy kids, but warm enough that you do not feel like you are rushing through it.
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| Cover art from An Otis Christmas by Loren Long, featuring Otis in a quiet winter night scene beside a decorated Christmas tree. |
One of the farm mares is getting ready to give birth to a foal - but tragedy strikes as the horse starts suffering from pain.
Otis' owner, the farmer announces that they must get the message to Doc Baker or else the farm will lose the mother horse and its baby.
Knowing that the the horse is in trouble, Otis does not flinch and ignores the piles of snow and the blocked roads. He finds a path through the forest to reach the Doc and save the day.
If your family does “one Christmas book a night,” this fits right in.
If your family does “one Christmas book a night,” this fits right in.
5. Otis and the Puppy (2014), Otis picture book 4
A puppy arrives on Otis' farm, and the whole place tilts toward excited chaos.
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Cover art from Otis and the Puppy by Loren Long, |
If you have ever had to explain “gentle hands” or “give him space” to a child who loves animals a bit too loudly, you will recognize the value here.
The story gives kids permission to adore the puppy, and at the same time it shows that caring for someone includes noticing when you are overwhelming them.
It is not just another “cute puppy” picture book.
Otis and the Puppy is an early lesson in empathy and self-control that still feels like a story.
6. Otis’s Busy Day (2014) - This is a shorter, board-book style Otis book, not a picture book of the same format as the original Otis.
This is part of the Step Into Reading book series, so manage your expectations. This one shifts into early-reader territory.
Shorter text, simpler vocabulary, more of that “I can read this myself” energy.
If your child loves Otis but is starting to resist picture books because they want to feel independent, this is an easy bridge.
So, effectively what you may see here is like a highlight reel of the original Otis.
You can read it quickly, and a kid can “take a turn” reading pages back to you without feeling set up to fail.
7. Otis and the Scarecrow (2017), Otis picture book 5
This is one of the better entries for conversation after the last page.
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Cover art from Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long, |
A scarecrow appears and the farm animals react the way groups often react to something unfamiliar: suspicion first, assumptions second.
Otis does the opposite. He approaches, he notices, he makes room.
If your child is dealing with a new class, a new teacher, or a new kid at school, this story gives them a gentle template for how to respond without being preachy about it.
It also has a tender, slightly autumn mood that suits repeated reading.
8. What Does Otis See? (2015) - again NOT one of the classic Otis picture book series! This is part of the Step Into Reading book series, so manage your expectations.
Another early-reader Otis, built around observation. This is a “point-and-notice” book in disguise. I like it because it makes a child slow down. They scan the page. They hunt for details. They name what they see.
That is not only good for early reading confidence, it is also quietly good for attention and vocabulary. If you want to turn read-aloud into a tiny game, this is the one.
That is not only good for early reading confidence, it is also quietly good for attention and vocabulary. If you want to turn read-aloud into a tiny game, this is the one.
Otis and the Kittens (2020), Otis picture book 6
Kittens are adorable, and kittens are trouble.
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Cover art from Otis and the Kittens by Loren Long, |
This book understands that both can be true at the same time. Otis takes on the caretaker role again, not as a scold, but as the calm center.
This is a good pick if your house has “new baby energy,” or if an older child is trying to figure out how to be patient with little ones.
Yep, Otis can guide your family through the testing times.
Don't forget to draw the parallels between any newcomer in your family and the kittens that bring the chaos to the farm.
Yes, life is unpredictable, tempers can get frayed and outsiders may sometimes test our patience.
Otis brings the solution!
Otis Gives Thanks (2017) - again NOT one of the classic Otis picture book series! This is a board book, essentially a rehash of other Otis moments of glory
So, this is not part of the picture book series. A board book that serves as a great entry point into the Otis universe.
A brief lesson on gratitude - but without a sermon. It is simple, rhythmic, and toddler-friendly.
And then Otis went on-screen
Get Rolling With Otis (Apple TV+) premiered in 2021, with a second season released in 2022. The show keeps the same basic promise as the books: Otis notices when someone is struggling and steps in to help.
If your child already loves the books, the series is basically more time in that world.
If your child has not met Otis yet, the books still feel like the better first introduction. They slow everything down. The art sits with you. And that read-aloud “putt puff puttedy chuff” charm really does land best out loud.
So yes, my original 2010 self was onto something when I reviewed the first Otis.
Otis become a popular picture book series. However, he also became a dependable read-aloud lane you can return to for years, from full picture books to early readers to board books, and now a show.
That is not common.
If your child already loves the books, the series is basically more time in that world.
If your child has not met Otis yet, the books still feel like the better first introduction. They slow everything down. The art sits with you. And that read-aloud “putt puff puttedy chuff” charm really does land best out loud.
So yes, my original 2010 self was onto something when I reviewed the first Otis.
Otis become a popular picture book series. However, he also became a dependable read-aloud lane you can return to for years, from full picture books to early readers to board books, and now a show.
That is not common.
And if your kids fall for Otis, you will understand why it happened.
Happy reading,
Read Aloud Dad
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