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40 pp.
| Philomel
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-16398-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
In this gripping new Otis adventure, the brave tractor races to an old barn engulfed in flames and realizes kittens are trapped inside the hayloft. Tension escalates when the hero needs help himself, but Otis's barnyard friends and a firefighter save the day using teamwork. The muted palette of gray, cream, and rusty red match the dry summer setting and the drama that ensues.
(2)
PS
Starting right where Duck on a Bike left off, Duck hops on a tractor, stopping only to pick up his barnyard buddies: Dog, Mouse, Sheep, etc. They make their way downtown, cruising past the diner and giving startled onlookers an eyeful. Shannon's easygoing text and his illustrations, too, humorously blend farmyard realism with judicious anthropomorphism.
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Wild About Wheels series.
These books use brief texts and large photographs to introduce types of mechanical equipment. Military features helicopters, battle tanks, transport vehicles, fighter planes, and ocean-going vessels; Farm includes tractors used for specific operations: plowing, planting, cultivating, and harvesting. The information is cursory, but the books will appeal to kids drawn to machinery. Common Core questions are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following titles: Military Vehicles and Farm Machines.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62091-790-9$16.95
(3)
PS
With simple language and bold computer-rendered illustrations, this book follows the relationship between a farmer and his tractor, which he calls Ol' Partner, through the seasons. The tractor has many responsibilities, from planting to mowing to providing fun. Many kinds of farm equipment are mentioned, and the visually arresting images show tools operating from a variety of interesting perspectives.
32 pp.
| Amazon/Two Lions
| May, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1477847312$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1477897317
(3)
PS
In this cumulative tale, a tractor-driving pup circles the farmyard to pick up young animals, eventually bringing them to a storytime gathering. The animal and machinery onomatopoeia help the text chug along, and the jovial mixed-media art keeps the story from becoming stale. Fans of Hillenbrand's companion book, Down by the Station, will appreciate his latest.
(4)
4-6
Dirt and Destruction Sports Zone series.
Covering history, equipment, and some high-performing drivers in each event, these volumes provide readers with straightforward introductions to six motorsports. The books include details of the rules governing the sport, the vehicles used, and course requirements. Color and black-and-white photos and sidebars compete for attention with text on busily designed pages. The small-size font may put off some readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Dirt and Destruction Sports Zone titles: Rock Crawling, Tractor Pulling, Demolition Derby, Mud Truck Racing, Monster Trucks, and Rally Car Racing.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-16396-8$17.99
(3)
K-3
It takes time, a rainstorm, and a silly round of "the quiet game" for Otis the tractor to cozy up to the scarecrow, the farm's grumpiest new member. The story is leisurely paced--a fact that will encourage readers to linger over Long's charming gouache and pencil illustrations of cheerful farm animals, a wide-eyed Otis, and rolling landscapes in muted colors.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| March, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25469-7$17.99
(3)
K-3
In his latest story of selfless bravery, little tractor Otis loves to play hide-and-seek with his farm-animal friends. He welcomes a new puppy to the game, and when the pup gets lost in the woods, Otis must face his own fear of the dark to save his scared little friend. Refined gouache and pencil illustrations emit warmth despite their muted tone.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-16395-1$17.99
(3)
K-3
Once again, brave little tractor Otis saves the day in his latest heroic adventure. Otis heads into a Christmas Eve blizzard to fetch Doc Baker in hopes of saving an expecting horse and her foal. Tension builds until Otis's new "special horn" comes in handy. Reserved gouache and pencil illustrations capture the frosty setting while touches of color emit a warm glow.
32 pp.
| Smart Apple
| August, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59920-901-2$28.50
(4)
K-3
Have Fun with Arts and Crafts series.
These six books centered on favorite themes each present fourteen craft activities. Step-by-step directions for costumes, games, foods, models, and other crafts are too complex for the children who would be interested in them, but patient adults or possibly creative teen babysitters could enjoy interactive crafting sessions with their young friends. Templates are appended for some of the items. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Have Fun with Arts and Crafts titles: Animals, Dinosaurs, Fairies, Knights and Castles, Pirates, amd Tractors and Trucks.
24 pp.
| Candlewick
| March, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-6430-5$15.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Robyn Belton.
When a family's car gets stuck in a flood, all sorts of vehicles try to rescue them, to no avail. Finally, Farmer John's tractor ("rusty yet trusty and orangey red") saves the day. The story is just mildly suspenseful since the water seems to rise only about knee high, but the jaunty rhyming text and panoramic watercolor illustrations work together well.
24 pp.
| QEB
| September, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60992-230-6$25.65
(3)
PS
Busy Wheels series.
Illustrated by
Martha Lightfoot.
Dog must use his tractor to move a fallen tree; Bear uses his digger to save a stranded cat. Each volume in this series tells a story about how a particular vehicle works and includes a labeled diagram of the machine as well as examples of related vehicles. Lightfoot's colorful paintings manage to depict clear details while softening the slightly technical texts. Review covers these Busy Wheels titles: Tractor Saves the Day, Digger to the Rescue, Fire Truck Is Flashing, and Race Car Is Roaring.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| April, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-762-5$16.95
(4)
K-3
Timmy goes with Grandpa Joe to see his childhood farm. There they find a rusty tractor that elicits wonderful memories for Grandpa--plowing fields, looking for Christmas trees, etc.; soon Timmy can visualize them, too. It's an effective hook, but the stiff digital illustrations aren't a great match for the story's overriding element of nostalgia.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25477-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
In his latest adventure, little tractor Otis and his farm-animal friends elicit nothing but scowls from a bull. But when a tornado leaves the bovine vulnerable, it's Otis to the rescue. For truck-loving young readers this is a perfect no-twists hero fantasy. Long's fine illustrations exhibit old-fashioned reserve: they're black-and-white but for occasional color indulgences.
24 pp.
| Smart Apple
| September, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59920-679-0$24.25
(4)
K-3
My Favorite Machines series.
This series will attract young readers interested in vehicles of all kinds. Texts touch on different types of each vehicle (e.g., Trucks includes tankers, fire trucks, off-road trucks, etc.). The vivid photos are more engaging than the writing, but the basic vocabulary does lend itself to early decoding efforts. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these My Favorite Machines titles: Cars, Diggers, Helicopters, Motorcycles, Planes, Submarines, Tractors, and Trucks.
32 pp.
| Kane/Miller
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-935279-66-2$15.99
(3)
PS
Some farm animals re-create a tractor's sounds (e.g., rumbles, honks) with their own baas, moos, etc.--until Farmer Dougal awakens, convinced that someone is stealing his wheels. The littlest listeners and readers will be in hog heaven with the abundant imitable animal sounds and the mischief-spiked barnyard-set illustrations.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25248-8$17.99
(3)
K-3
After being replaced by a newer model, tractor Otis is forlorn--until his baby-calf friend gets stuck in the mud, and only Otis can save her. This tender, old-fashioned tale recalling Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand has a timeless message and a surefire hook: a cute animal. The largely industrial-toned art manages, impressively, to exude warmth.
(4)
PS
This book focuses on the many jobs a tractor can help a farmer do ("Plow until that field is clear!"). Based on the familiar song, both the rhymes and rhythm falter in places. The double-page spread art is composed of foam board, drywall compound, and acrylic paint, giving it a three-dimensional appearance. Readers will especially enjoy Old MacDonald's nosy farm animals.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Laura J. Bryant.
A father and his little girl spend a sunny day on the tractor, readying their farm's fields for planting as the family dog and neighborhood crows look on. Some awkward rhymes make an initial read-aloud difficult and the ending is abrupt, but the soft, detailed illustrations provide plenty of interest to young tractor fans.
32 pp.
| North-South
| August, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-7358-2088-0$16.95
(3)
K-3
Translated by Marianne Martens.
Illustrated by
Daniel Sohr.
Readers will empathize with Tony, who becomes disenchanted with his old toy riding tractor after seeing his neighbor's fancy new one. He doesn't mind--at first--when he wrecks his tractor, but life is pretty boring without his favorite toy, so he asks Uncle Bob to help fix it. Expressive, homey illustrations offer a glimpse of Tony's life on a farm.