Otis and the Scarecrow (Otis)

by Loren Long (Author) Loren Long (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Otis
FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING ILLUSTRATOR OF MATT DE LA PENA'S LOVE AND WATTY PIPER'S CLASSIC THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

On the farm where Otis the tractor lives, the farmer has introduced someone new--a scarecrow to shoo away the pesky crows. But when Otis and the animals greet the scarecrow with friendly smiles, the scarecrow's frown never leaves his face. So everyone leaves him alone.

Then one day, when a cold autumn rain sets in, Otis and the animals snuggle close and play Otis's favorite game: the quiet game. Otis knows the puppy and ducks can't sit still for long, and soon the farm friends begin to giggle and squirm, feeling warmed by one another's friendship . . . but on this day, Otis can't seem to take his eyes off the lonely figure in the cornfield.
A deeply resonant book about subtle acts of compassion and standing up for others, featuring everyone's favorite tractor, Otis.

Praise for OTIS AND THE SCARECROW:

"Otis the tractor's goodhearted nature continues to shine in his fifth picture book." -Publishers Weekly

"Readers will enjoy this sixth tale of an admirable leader who does the right thing with quiet confidence." -Booklist

"Teachers will see the connection between the lonely scarecrow and the outsider in the classroom and will be able to find many uses for this volume in the curriculum. Fans will enjoy this more cerebral Otis and might build a little empathy along the way." -Kirkus Reviews

"Loren Long creates a perfect book for the beginning of the school year with "Otis and the Scarecrow."--Examiner.com
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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Otis is a friendly little tractor who lives on a farm. In the summer, the farmer adds a scarecrow to his cornfield. Always looking for a new friend, Otis tries unsuccessfully to engage the scarecrow, who just stares blankly out at the field with a permanent scowl on its face. The farm animals attempt to befriend the sour fellow with the same result. As the season begins to change, the crows no longer keep away from the scarecrow, who has otherwise remained alone. During an autumn, Otis and his friends surround the solitary scarecrow to ride out a storm, and though he never breaks his silence, they are convinced that he doesn't look so lonely anymore. Gouache and pencil illustrations capture the different seasons and characters' emotions. This quiet addition to the series uses the appealing familiar characters to address the notions of small kindnesses and compassion.--Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Otis the tractor's goodhearted nature continues to shine in his fifth picture book. The farmer has just placed a new scarecrow in the cornfield, and the "sour look" permanently stitched onto the scarecrow's burlap head says plenty about its perceived attitude. As the days pass, the silent scarecrow remains indifferent to Otis and the farm animals below. Eventually, Otis finds a way to bring the scarecrow into the fun he and the animals are having--or at least to bring the fun to him. Although Otis himself is entirely animate, Long leaves the scarecrow's sentience an open-ended question. As the book comes to a close, Otis "couldn't be sure, but he thought he might have seen the scarecrow smile." Readers will have to hazard their own guesses, as the scarecrow's face is turned away from them in the final pages. Ages 5-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for the OTIS

*** "Long's gouache and pencil artwork is stunning. . . the satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children." —School Library Journal on Otis, starred review ***

*** "The illustrations wonderfully enhance the story, from the joy of the animals prancing around the Christmas tree to Otis' expressive responses to the events around him." —Booklist on An Otis Christmas, 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

"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

Praise for OTIS AND THE SCARECROW:

"Otis the tractor's goodhearted nature continues to shine in his fifth picture book." -Publishers Weekly

"Readers will enjoy this sixth tale of an admirable leader who does the right thing with quiet confidence." -Booklist

"Teachers will see the connection between the lonely scarecrow and the outsider in the classroom and will be able to find many uses for this volume in the curriculum. Fans will enjoy this more cerebral Otis and might build a little empathy along the way." -Kirkus Reviews

"Loren Long creates a perfect book for the beginning of the school year with "Otis and the Scarecrow."—Examiner.com
Loren Long
Loren Long (www.lorenlong.com) ha labrado su camino a la lista de los libros más vendidos con títulos como Otis, Otis y el Tornado, Otis y el Cachorro, El niño y el Tambor, La Pequeña Locomotora que Si Pudo de Watty Piper, Mi Barco de Randall de Séve, Las Manzanas del Sr. Peabody de Madonna y De tí yo canto de Barack Obama. Loren reside en Cincinnati con su esposa y dos hijos, todos son frecuentes visitantes a su estudio, donde ven el arte y escuchan las historias primero.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780399163968
Lexile Measure
690
Guided Reading Level
12
Publisher
Philomel Books
Publication date
August 20, 2014
Series
Otis
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV002090 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Farm Animals
JUV025000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | Farm Life & Ranch Life
Library of Congress categories
Domestic animals
Farm life
Scarecrows
Tractors
Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children
Recommended 2015 - 2015
Alabama Camellia Award
Nominee 2015 - 2016

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