Each book season, the Hickelebee's staff reads their agreed upon favorites -- ranging from picture books to novels, fiction and non fiction -- to come up with a title that stands out as the one we most want to put into someone's hands -- confident in the pleasure they will get from our choice. We present them at staff meetings, talk about them throughout the days and finally, vote.

We are thrilled to announce that the Fall 2009 Hicklebee's Book of the Year Award goes to Otis by Loren Long

Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends. But when Otis is replaced with a big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed...until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. Then there is only one tractor who can come to the rescue, and it's Otis who saves the day.

In the tradition of classics like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Story of Ferdinand, Loren Long has crafted an unforgettable new story and character celebrating the power of friendship and perseverance.

To learn more about Otis and to order it from Hicklebee's online, please click here.