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RE: Otis by Loren Long
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From: Mary Clark <Mclark_at_gcds.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:18:07 -0500
I'll chime in. I actually agree with both of you. For me, it's a case of mixed reactions. But, young children ask for Otis over and over (and they don't even feel obsolete). For them it is as Dave says, "a good story with great pictures." They seem to love Otis, and I can't argue with their obvious pleasure and repeated demand. Mary
Mary Clark Director of Library and Information Services Greenwich Country Day School PO Box 623 Old Church Road Greenwich, CT 06836 203-863-5634 mclark_at_gcds.net
and
Young Critics Club
Perrot Memorial Library
Old Greenwich, CT
________________________________
From: David Richardson
Sent: Thu 12/10/2009 5:52 PM To: horning_at_education.wisc.edu; ccbc-net@lists.wisc.edu Subject: RE:
Otis by Loren Long
Kathleen, For me it is a combination of things. The story is one that shows the importance of true friends and tenacity. It is the ultimate underdog story -- Otis having lost his sense of purpose and usefulness, finds he is not obsolete after all. Maybe it strikes a deeper chord in these unsettled economic times with so many people finding themselves obsolete. There are nods to Mike Mulligan in the story and Ferdinand in the art, yet the story is original and heartwarming. There may be a nostalgic feel to it for some, but I prefer to call it a timelessness to the ideas. And Loren's art is astounding. Fresh. Unique, and with a distinct Americana feel to it. And if you really pushed me, I'd say it's because Otis and the calf are just plain adorable. You just can't beat a good story with great pictures. Anyone else want to chime in?
Keep reading, Dave
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:27:17 -0600 From: horning_at_education.wisc.edu Subject:
Otis by Loren Long To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu
Quoting David Richardson: /Otis/- Loren Long. Hands-down the best of the year (and his best as
well). David, will you (or anyone else) tell us a bit about what you like so much about Otis? I'm seeing it on a lot of Best of the Year lists, and
don't quite understand the appeal. Is it a nostalgia thing, or what?
KT
Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933
horning_at_education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:18:07 -0500
I'll chime in. I actually agree with both of you. For me, it's a case of mixed reactions. But, young children ask for Otis over and over (and they don't even feel obsolete). For them it is as Dave says, "a good story with great pictures." They seem to love Otis, and I can't argue with their obvious pleasure and repeated demand. Mary
Mary Clark Director of Library and Information Services Greenwich Country Day School PO Box 623 Old Church Road Greenwich, CT 06836 203-863-5634 mclark_at_gcds.net
and
Young Critics Club
Perrot Memorial Library
Old Greenwich, CT
________________________________
From: David Richardson
Sent: Thu 12/10/2009 5:52 PM To: horning_at_education.wisc.edu; ccbc-net@lists.wisc.edu Subject: RE:
Otis by Loren Long
Kathleen, For me it is a combination of things. The story is one that shows the importance of true friends and tenacity. It is the ultimate underdog story -- Otis having lost his sense of purpose and usefulness, finds he is not obsolete after all. Maybe it strikes a deeper chord in these unsettled economic times with so many people finding themselves obsolete. There are nods to Mike Mulligan in the story and Ferdinand in the art, yet the story is original and heartwarming. There may be a nostalgic feel to it for some, but I prefer to call it a timelessness to the ideas. And Loren's art is astounding. Fresh. Unique, and with a distinct Americana feel to it. And if you really pushed me, I'd say it's because Otis and the calf are just plain adorable. You just can't beat a good story with great pictures. Anyone else want to chime in?
Keep reading, Dave
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:27:17 -0600 From: horning_at_education.wisc.edu Subject:
Otis by Loren Long To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu
Quoting David Richardson: /Otis/- Loren Long. Hands-down the best of the year (and his best as
well). David, will you (or anyone else) tell us a bit about what you like so much about Otis? I'm seeing it on a lot of Best of the Year lists, and
don't quite understand the appeal. Is it a nostalgia thing, or what?
KT
Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933
horning_at_education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
---Received on Thu 10 Dec 2009 06:18:07 PM CST
