As a children’s book buyer, I see all kinds of illustrators and all kinds of mediums: Pen and ink, digital, oil painting, paper cutting, water colors, colored pencils, and even crayons. With each illustrator comes a unique style that often becomes instantly recognizable.

One of the first illustrators I first became familiar with in Oz was Loren Long. His acrylic illustrations have graced the books of Angelia Johnson, Watty Piper, Madonna, and President Barack Obama.

In his first series, Loren has created the character Otis, a small red tractor with a big heart. In his first adventure, titled simply Otis, Otis makes friend with a orphaned calf, is replaced by a bigger tractor, and ends up saving the day with his compassion.

Otis lives in the mid-west, so it only makes sense that a tornado would show up in an Otis book as it does in Otis’ newest adventure, Otis and the Tornado.

As Otis and his farm friends enjoy a lively round their favorite game, follow-the-leader, everyone on the farm gets involved–that is, everyone except the bull. The bull has no interest in playing and stays in his pen, and when the other animals get close to his pen, he purposely intimidates the other animals.

Suddenly the nice day turns cloudy scary, something we all know about here in Mississippi: the birds stop chirping, the wind picks up, and the sky turns dark and stormy. It’s a tornado!

Otis uses the follow-the-leader game to get all of the farm animals safe and sound in the dried-up riverbanks of Mud Creek. But Otis hears a cry in the distance – it’s the bull, 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. This new story from Loren Long feels classic already and is one I am already enjoying sharing with kids and parents.

Loren Long is such an accomplished author that just a new book from him is worth celebration. In the follow excerpt from Loren’s biography on his website, we see how accomplished he is:

“Two-time Golden Kite award winner and New York Times #1 bestselling illustrator Loren Long is an artist straight from the heart of America. Born in Joplin, Missouri, and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Long is a storyteller in pictures who draws on his roots to depict a soulful American landscape peopled with imaginative characters who take on mythic, even heroic, dimensions.”

However, a visit from him is worth jumping for joy. Loren Long will be here to read and sign his books on Wednesday, September 7th at 4:00! He will read and speak at 4:00, with a signing to follow.

Because of Loren’s amazing illustrations, Otis and the Tornado will be our Oz First Edition Club pick for September. We also have first editions of President Barack Obama’s book Of Thee I Sing, which Loren illustrated, which we will be offering as well at list price!

You don’t want to miss this, so come on out on Wednesday at 4:00!

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