New Release Books by Loren Long

Join Otis and his farmyard friends for all kinds of fun. Now available in Step into Reading, the premier early reader line. Otis is a very busy tractor. He loves working on the farm and playing with his friends. But at the end of a long day, Otis is happy to go home and rest! This is the perfect complement to Loren Long''s New York Times bestselling picture books featuring Otis, and a great book with which to learn to read! Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired picture clues help children decode the story.

Watch Get Rolling with Otis on Apple TV! The #1 New York Times bestselling artist Loren Long, presents Otis and the Kittens, a story of friendship and unlikely heroes, now in board book format! On the farm, it hasn''t rained in a long time. 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 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 trapped inside! Will Otis and his friends be able to save the day? 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, the illustrator of Love by Matt de la Peña and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama, this sweet story that celebrates firefighters and heroes of all shapes and sizes is now available in board book format, perfect for the youngest of readers. 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.

Built for giggles and fun read-alouds, this classic children''s song has been adapted by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Love and Otis, Loren Long! "One to visit again and again..." --Publishers Weekly There''s a log on the bottom of the lake There''s a log on the bottom of the lake There''s a log? There''s a log! There''s a log on the bottom of the lake. But it turns out there''s a a whole lot more than just a log on the bottom of this lake! A cumulative text featuring repetition and tongue-twisters combine with gorgeous illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long for a book kids will clamor for at storytime. Endpapers include sheet music and lyrics for kids and parents to have their own singalong!

Being thankful is a year-round blessing for Otis the tractor! Giving thanks makes Otis happy. He gives thanks for the land and country he loves. Otis is thankful for time to play games like hide-and-seek and ring-around-the-rosy. He cherishes his farm friends who make life on the ranch as happy as can be. And most of all, everyone''s favorite tractor is thankful for the greatest thing in life: love. Told with a sense of warmth, heart, and above all else, gratefulness, this is an uplifting tale that speaks to the soul of Otis'' character and reminds readers that taking the time to appreciate our lives is a virtue in itself. From the creator of the Otis series, and the illustrator of The Little Engine That Could and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama.

For graduates, for their parents, for anyone facing change, here is a gorgeously illustrated and stunningly heartfelt ode to the challenges of growing up and letting go. A story of the seasons and stepping stones as poignant for parents as for their kids, from the creator of Otis the tractor and illustrator of Love by Matt de la Pena. "Long’s gentle but powerful story about a young tree who holds tight to his leaves, even as everyone else lets theirs drop, takes on nothing less than the pain and sorrow of growing up. . . . As in Long’s unaccountably profound books about Otis the tractor, a pure white background somehow adds to the depth."—The New York Times Book Review In the middle of a little forest, there lives a Little Tree who loves his life and the splendid leaves that keep him cool in the heat of long summer days. Life is perfect just the way it is. Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree''s leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make. From #1 New York Times bestselling Loren Long comes a gorgeously-illustrated story that challenges each of us to have the courage to let go and to reach for the sun. Praise for Little Tree * "The illustrations are beautifully rendered . . . Understated and inviting, young readers will be entranced by Little Tree’s difficult but ultimately rewarding journey."—Booklist, starred review "Long’s gentle but powerful story about a young tree who holds tight to his leaves, even as everyone else lets theirs drop, takes on nothing less than the pain and sorrow of growing up. Season after season, Little Tree clings to his brown-leaved self until he can take a leap and shed his protection. He feels ‘the harsh cold of winter,’ but soon grows tall and green, and it’s not bad at all. As in Long’s unaccountably profound books about Otis the tractor, a pure white background somehow adds to the depth."—The New York Times Book Review * "[Long''s] willingness to take his time and even test the audience’s patience with his arboreal hero’s intransigence results in an ending that’s both a big relief and an authentic triumph. Long’s earnest-eloquent narrative voice and distilled, single-plane drawings, both reminiscent of an allegorical pageant, acknowledge the reality of the struggle while offering the promise of brighter days ahead."—Publishers Weekly, starred review "Long is sparing with the text, keeping it simple and beautifully descriptive. Brilliantly colored illustrations done in acrylic, ink, and pencil stand out on bright white pages, with Little Tree taking the center position in each double-page spread. Tender and gentle and altogether lovely."—Kirkus Reviews "Children will see the tree facing the scariness of change; adult readers may well feel wistful as the story underscores the need to let their babies grow toward independence. Beautiful. Grade: A"—Cleveland Plain Dealer

Watch Get Rolling with Otis on Apple TV! Featuring the New York Times bestselling character Otis! Join Otis as he explores the many fun things there are to see on the farm! In this new leveled reader, Otis sees a puppy, a little calf, and even a bull. Kids will love learning to read with one of their favorite characters, Otis the tractor!

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

**Read by country music superstar Trace Adkins!** **The New York Times bestseller and companion to Otis, the official 2013 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection!** It''s Christmas eve on the farm where Otis and all of his friends live. The farmer has given Otis his first real Christmas present--a shiny new horn! A tree has been decorated, a big snowstorm is on its way, and all of the animals are excited. Best of all, one of the horses on the farm is about to give birth to a foal! Yet in the middle of the night the horse begins neighing in pain and when the farmer says, "We''d better get Doc Baker out here or we''ll lose ''em both," Otis knows the horse is in trouble. Snow has been falling hard for hours and the roads are unpassable. How will they got Doc? Otis to the rescue! He knows a shortcut through the woods and he arrives at the doc''s house flashing his headlights and revving his engine. When Doc fails to awake, Otis uses his new horn. Then, with Doc in tow, he races back to the farm just in time for a Christmas miracle . . . and the arrival of a new friend to play with. A warm, feel-good Christmas story featuring everyone''s favorite tractor, Otis, the friend you can always count on. 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. Praise for Otis: “Long’s gouache and pencil artwork is stunning with a red and cream main character against a sepia-toned monochromatic background. The overall effect is nostalgic and comforting as readers bond with the determined little tractor . . . the satisfying conclusion that speaks of a place for everyone is sure to ring true to children.” —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal, on Otis “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 “Children will be delighted with this story about friendship” —School Library Journal, 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

The New York Times Bestseller! Otis and his farm friends love to play hide-and-seek. Otis especially loves to be "It," finding his friends as they hide. Yet when the newest addition to the farm—a bounding puppy who can''t sit still and has a habit of licking faces—tries to hide, he finds his attention wandering and is soon lost in the forest. Night falls and Otis, knowing his new friend is afraid of the dark, sets out to find him. There''s just one problem: Otis is also afraid of the dark. His friend is alone and in need, though, so Otis takes a deep breath, counts to ten, and sets off on a different game of hide-and-seek. From the critically-acclaimed illustrator of The Little Engine that Could, Of Thee I Sing, and Otis, the 2013 Read for the Record selection.

In Blastin’the Blues, still fearing they are being followed and even more worried they have a traitor in their midst, the team travels to New Orleans, where the magic of their ball and the music of the city create one memorable game. But like always, trouble is right around the corner and the hits keep on coming for the Payne family and all of the Travelin’Nine! In Home of the Brave, after the rousing success in New Orleans, Griffith, Ruby, and Graham are determined to beat the Chancellor at his own game and save their family as well as the game of baseball. Pulling into their hometown of Baltimore, the Paynes are reunited with a familiar face, and the Travelin’Nine are tested on the field once again. Can they win without the help of their baseball? Prepare for fireworks in this final inning to the grand slam series, Sluggers!

"Otis and his farmyard friends have all kinds of adventures, whether playing hide-and-seek or frolicking through the fields. Join them in this fun doodle book and use your imagination and creativity to finish the drawings, color the pages, and then decorate them with stickers!"--Page 4 of cover.

Featuring the New York Times bestselling character Otis! Children three and older will love this adorable board book, the perfect companion to Otis and Otis and the Tornado. In this new story, the beloved tractor loves to play with his friends--the calf, the cows, the horses, and of course, the ducks. Together, they jump, they play, they chase, and they march. And they always have fun--young readers will, too!

**Read by country music superstar Trace Adkins!** **The New York Times bestseller and companion to Otis, the official 2013 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection!** Otis and all his farm friends are enjoying a summer''s day, but the bull has no interest in playing and stays in his pen. Suddenly the day turns frightening and stormy: it''s a tornado! Otis takes all of the animals to safety, but the bull is still locked in his pen! Quick as his tires will take him, Otis putt puff puttedy chuffs back to the farm to save the day.

Join Otis and all his farmyard friends for all kinds of fun in this new sticker activity book. Readers will love spotting the differences, making their way through mazes, creating doodles, finishing sticker puzzles and much more in this charming book. A must-have for all Otis fans!

The Travelin'' Nine are headed to St. Louis and New Orleans as they continue to raise money to pay off their big league debt!

In 1899, the trip to Chicago for Griffith, Ruby, and Graham becomes an adventure in itself after they realize their Uncle Owen has gone missing and the Chancellor has set his sights on the money the Travelin'' Nine have been trying to raise.

In over their heads? THE YEAR IS 1899, and the Travelin'' Nine are barnstorming their way across the good ol'' U.S. of A., trying to raise money to pay off the Payne family''s big-league debt. Griffith has a run-in with the Chancellor and learns that the baseball isn''t the only item the infamous industrialist is after. Even more mysteriously, the Chancellor claims to have something that the Paynes want. And Ruby. Where in the world has she vanished to? Does her disappearance have anything to do with the Chancellor''s threats? Or is there some other plan in play? And finally, Graham makes a heartfelt birthday wish and somehow gets exactly what he asks for. But questions still remain: Was it real? Can it possibly be true? Or is it all just a dream? If they don''t watch out, Griffith, Ruby, Graham, and the Travelin'' Nine may find themselves in deep water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!

In the late 1800s, a baseball with strange powers belonging to their late father works wonders for three children and a travelling baseball team which must raise $10,000.

A stunning holiday book by beloved Otis creator Loren Long In this charming Christmas story, a toy drummer boy embarks--accidentally--on a journey on which he plays his drum and warms the hearts of everyone he encounters, from a rat to a snowman. Set against a snowy landscape by the bestselling Loren Long, this is a perfect read for chilly winter evenings. Long brings this story of an unforgettable little drummer boy to vivid life with his timeless and magical art.

The year is 1899, and the Travelin'' Nine are crisscrossing the good ol'' U.S. of A., raising money to pay off the Payne family''s big-league debt! As the team heads into the River City, Griffith is beginning to realize that there''s more at risk than meets the eye, something beyond the need to raise money -- something involving the ball that could put his entire family in danger. Ruby is eager to help solve the mystery of the ball and plans on keeping her eyes and ears wide open and writing everything down. She knows the answer is out there. All she has to do is see the things that others don''t. And figure out what those things mean. Then there''s Graham, who usually only thinks about how to get more time on the baseball field. Even he''s beginning to notice that there are strange and shady characters at just about every turn. Finally there''s the Chancellor, one of the wealthiest and greediest businessmen in the entire world. And it looks like he''s got his eye on the ball!

In the late 1800s, a baseball with strange powers belonging to their late father works wonders for three children and a travelling baseball team which must raise $10,000.