The #1 bestselling illustrator of Matt de la Pena's Love and the
creator of Otis presents an homage to firefighters everywhere--and to
the many boys and girls who dream big of being heroes!
On the farm where Otis the tractor lives, it hasn't rained in a long
time and farmers all over the valley have grown anxious with water in
such short supply. One hot afternoon, when Otis and his friends are
resting beneath the shade of the apple tree, Otis spots something moving
down in the valley**--**an orange tabby cat headed straight for the old
barn. But then Otis sees something else that causes his engine to
sputter . . . a swirl of smoke coming from the same barn. A fire!
As Otis races toward the fire with his friends in tow, he spots the
tabby cat mewing in alarm. Otis rushes inside to discover the source of
the cat's worries--her little kittens are perched up on the hayloft,
scared. Otis never hesitates. Yet even after he delivers a tractor full
of kittens safely outside, their mama remains upset. Re-entering the
burning barn, Otis discovers why: one tiny kitten, still too scared to
move. With a friendly chuff, Otis coaxes her down and she scampers out
the door. That's when the floor collapses with a CRASH, trapping the
tractor. Now Otis, the friend everyone can count on, must count on his
friends.
Told with a sense of play and devotion, this is a heartwarming tale that
reminds readers that sometimes even those who we count on to help us
need a little help themselves. 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.
Loren Long wrote this story as a tribute to the firefighters who, like
Otis, rescue people every day with their strength and bravery. Of
course, people who aren't first responders should never go into a
burning building for any reason. Reading this story to children is a
great opportunity to discuss fire safety.
Praise for Otis and the Kittens
* As always, perseverance, teamwork, and a heart of gold pay off for
Otis and his friends. When read aloud, the text flows off the tongue
with sounds and words that extend the imagery created in the attractive
gouache and pencil illustrations. The compositions make great use of
perspective and motion and are expertly laid out . . . There are
wonderful textured details that bring the story to life. [T]he perfect
lapsit read-aloud, combining the ever-popular subjects of tractors, farm
animals, and firefighters.--School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
Long's seventh bucolic tale of an antique tractor with a smiling face
and a good heart will please the little chuffer's many fans. The
dynamic, fluid illustrations with a retro-rural vibe bring to mind
Norman Rockwell's America with a Saturday comics spin. The theme of
teamwork played out several times through the tale is communicated as
simply as the tale itself. Keep on puffin', Otis!--Kirkus Reviews
Long creates a powerful sense of suspense and danger as charcoal smoke
gathers in the sky and bright flames lick the beams of the barn as Otis
goes to work, but bravery, loyalty, and gritty determination are the
real stars of the story--traits that Otis and his animal friends have in
ample supply.--Publishers Weekly
