At a Glance:  My son loves it.  We read it all the time.  Age appropriate.  No need to edit for a two year old.  If your kiddo likes machinery and animals.  They will most likely enjoy this book.  We recommend it.

The Longer Review:  This is another book that my son LOVES.  We read it every day and sometimes multiple times a day.  I just noticed on Amazon that there is actually an Otis tractor doll.  My son would love this doll.  I think I’m going to have to have a talk with my husband about acquiring said doll for my son.  I’m actually very anti cross-marketing, but I am, obviously, a bit of a sucker when it comes to picture books.

This book is about a tractor named Otis that everyone loves.  Otis is an easy-going tractor and all the farm animals seem to get along with him except one:  The Bull.  The bull doesn’t like anyone and spends his time separated from everyone else.  Then the tornado comes!  The tornado is so unexpected that the farmer flees into the cellar leaving the animals on their own.  Fortunately, Otis comes to the rescue and saves all the animals.  The animals are hiding in a ditch when Otis hears, “an awful bellowing cry” and realizes that it is the bull.  Otis saves the bull and brings him back to where everyone else is hiding out.  All is well.  The farm needs a lot of repair, but it ends well and the bull is now grateful and friendly.

We all could use a tractor like Otis, eh?

It is a sweet, fun book.  It is well illustrated with a unique style.  You can tell that Loren Long spent a decent amount of time imagining how it would look if a tractor could unlock latches — because it well illustrated here.  The story is suspenseful without terrifying my two year old.  I don’t have to edit it at all when reading it to him.  It ends well and most importantly my son loves it loves it.  If your child loves machinery — then I have no doubt that your child will love this one, too.

Oh, one thing:  If you’re going to read this book start practicing this phrase:  “Putt puff puttedy chuff”  For whatever reason it took me a few times to be able say this without stumbling all over it. Once you’ve got that down, the rest is cake.

Where Obtained:  Library.

FTC Disclosures: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” If you click on the link and purchase the book, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”