Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground.

4-8)Ĭontinuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long ( The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. The foreword, by a staff therapist at Northwestern’s Family Institute, provides tips for parents and teachers on using stories in bullying-prevention programs. As a model for resolution, this stands out regrettably, bullying is not often resolved so easily. Readers never see the punishment meted out to Tommy, but his own unhappiness comes through to them and to Lucy, who extends a conciliatory trotter. She was afraid of what would happen the next day.” The acrylics are both bright and textured and have a lovely transparent quality, even when using bold color with soft black outlines, suiting the emotional tenor of the tale nicely. But after a week of bullying, Lucy can’t conceal her misery from her mother, who promptly calls Ms. The little bull acts out by stomping on her model blackbird, ripping her storybook and breaking her pencils, each time threatening lamb Lucy with the classic “or else!” if she should tell. Lucy, a primary grader, is good at art to the delight of all her classmates, except for Tommy.

Lucy and the Bully by Claire Alexander