Otis and the Scarecrow
Otis and the Scarecrow book cover

Otis and the Scarecrow

Hardcover – Picture Book, August 28, 2014

Price
$14.00
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Publisher
Philomel Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0399163968
Dimensions
11.37 x 0.42 x 10.87 inches
Weight
1.38 pounds

Description

Praise for the OTIS :xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0*** “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 ***xa0“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." xa0– 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 " Otisxa0and the Scarecrow ."-- Examiner.com Loren Long has putt puff puttedy chuff ed his way all over the bestseller lists with such titles as Otis , Otis and the Tornado , Otis and the Puppy, An Otis Christmas, Drummer Boy , Toy Boat by Randall de Sève, and Mr. Peabody’s Apples by Madonna. He’s also had the opportunity to modernize the classic The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper and had the distinct honor of illustrating Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama. A graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Loren lives in Ohio with his wife, Tracy, and their two sons.You can visit Loren Long at www.OtisTheTractor.com and www.LorenLong.com. Follow @lorenlong

Features & Highlights

  • 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

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(183)
★★★★
25%
(76)
★★★
15%
(46)
★★
7%
(21)
-7%
(-21)

Most Helpful Reviews

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BOOK REVIEW: 'Otis and the Scarecrow': Delightful Picture Book for Very Young Readers

I'm always happy to see a book for young readers that teaches a valuable lesson, and Loren Long's "Otis and the Scarecrow" (Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (U.S.A), 40 pages, written and illustrated by Long, $17.99) accomplishes this goal with aplomb.

It's big, square format book that's perfect for solo readers ages 3 to 5 and for adults reading aloud. It's the sixth entry in Long's Otis the friendly farm tractor series. Growing up on a Michigan farm, I never thought of our three tractors as particularly friendly, but Long transforms these mechanical workhorses into a lovable creature called Otis.

From the publisher:

"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."

A story featuring a big-hearted, compassionate tractor like Otis is a good a way of teaching young children about the values that humans so often don't practice. In an age where bullying -- particularly via electronic devices and "social" websites -- has become all too common by even very young children, the lesson that Otis teaches the other farm creatures -- and by, extension, readers of this book is particularly valuable.
9 people found this helpful
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My least favorite of the Otis books

My son loves Otis. We have all the books. I had this one on pre-order and was excited when it came. I hate to say I was disappointed. It's definitely my least favorite of the Otis books. The animals don't like the scarecrow because of the "sour look on his face" and other things, and it's just weird because it's an inanimate object, so of course it can't smile. I just like the stories that are about the animals a lot more. My son asks to read it from time to time, but not near as often as the original Otis book, Otis and the Puppy, An Otis Christmas, and Otis and the Tornado.
7 people found this helpful
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Not worth it, even for a dedicated Otis fan

We love Otis at our house and I assumed we would love this one too. Similar plot to Otis and the Tornado, Otis tries to befriend a seemingly hostile new comer to the farm. Only this time, it is a scarecrow instead of a bull. Long does not animate the scarecrow, who is unresponsive to Otis' efforts. There is also no action item as in the tornado. All in all, this story falls quite flat. Long's Illustrations are still great, but it is not worth purchasing. Re-read Otis and the Tornado instead!
5 people found this helpful
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Wonderful Children's Book!!!!

This is a wonderful story about inclusion! And It is also another amazing Otis book! The writing, the illustrations are simply remarkable! And i love having a meaningful Halloween book for the kids to enjoy!
3 people found this helpful
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Least favorite of the Otis books

This story was too repetitive but in a boring way. The scarecrow never does anything and the animals actually don't do much either (except play the same game). Get Otis and the puppy instead. Excellent artwork though!
2 people found this helpful
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Another fun Otis adventure!

Amazing! Otis is a favorite in our house and the artwork in this book is amazing, just like all the Otis books. Otis is such a kind, empathetic soul and everyone can learn from his example. In this book, Otis is particularly good at demonstrating how to be a friend to someone who doesn't comform to societal expectations, and helping the other farm friends accept the new friend on the farm.
2 people found this helpful
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If you like the other Otis books

If you like the other Otis books, you'll very likely like this one. It has pretty pictures, discusses the quiet game (yes!), and has a predictable feel-good conclusion.
2 people found this helpful
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Otis

My son loves Otis books. I like this one a lot, he is not as big of a fan. This book takes a look at not giving up on people, accepting people as they are, and working with strengths. Good stuff!
1 people found this helpful
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Otis Is the Best

grandson, Otis, loves these books which carry a wonderful message, are beautifully illustrated and great oversized size.
1 people found this helpful
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We love Otis, but this book just never really goes ...

We love Otis, but this book just never really goes anywhere. The pictures are beautiful, it's just a very long story that is quite boring. My kindergarteners were not engaged at like they normally are when I read Otis books.
1 people found this helpful