Product Description

This first early reader uses simple text that encourages children to read on their own about tractors truly working hard all year long. A beginning-to-read book that is a must for any child who has an interest in tractors. The new tractor demonstrates the real work that a tractor performs on a real farm all through the seasons. The easy, repetitive text showcases the tractor's importance on a farm. Stacey Gabel Inspired by her young son's fascinations with tractors and his equally strong desire to learn, read and inspect anything to do with tractors, Stacey wanted to create a book for a genre that didn't seem to exist. She wanted to give young readers, like her son, something more than just tractor brochures to read. As a result, Stacey has authored a first reader book dealing with tractors and what these great machines accomplish on a farm. As a young girl growing up in Northwest Ohio, Stacey spent countless hours reading books, playing school and babysitting children. These same activities shaped her career as a middle school teacher and now author. Stacey holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the Ohio State University and a master's degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University. She still resides in rural northwest Ohio with her husband and two children. Artist Richard Neuman transforms images of everyday life into universally appealing paintings - each with a touch of whimsy. His meticulously detailed pieces of artwork range from tractors to bulldozers; barns to baskets;lighthouses to schoolhouses. Richard holds a bachelors degree in advertising design and a master's degree in art graphics with a minor in business. His corporate career was based in the publishing and advertising industry. He has worked in New York City for the world's largest advertising agency and in Ohio for two Fortune 500 companies. In 1986 he left the corporate world to form his own company focusing on his artwork. His success is attributed to the combination of his artistic talent with a broad background in product development, marketing and a high utilization of technology. Richard uses traditional media combined with digital technology to provide artwork ready for use in printing, web publishing and product manufacturing. The popularity of his work is worldwide with private patrons in dozens of countries. Disney, Hallmark and Cracker Barrel have marketed his art. Clients include General Electric, KOA, Longaberger Basket Company, HealthNet, Biogen Idec, John Deere Company and Creative Memories. Images from his collection of over 400 images have been licensed to a variety of manufacturers and businesses.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240116 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 24 pages

Customer Reviews

Drawing On My Rural Heritage.
The New Blue Tractor
I have lived most of my life on and around farms. My studio is located on a farm that was settled by my family in 1840. Creating the illustions for The New Blue Tractor was an assigment close to my heart. Hours spent drawing scenes which naturally occur in my everyday life made for many pleasant days in the studio.

I've always been curiuos to know how something works, what make it tick, what holds it together. While I delight in detail, my images are not blueprints nor engineering drawings. They are fun, a bit of whimsy. Sort of realism seen through a child's eyes.

While you and your child read the carefully crafted story by Stacey Gabel, I sincerely hope my illustrations allow you both to enjoy the beautiful world of The New Blue Tractor.

a former teacher's review of The New Blue Tractor
I have received the book The New Blue Tractor this week and I was very impressed with the story line and illustrations. I think it would be great for younger children especially those who are familiar with the farm. The illustrations are very large and colorful and attractive to children. My 3 year old granddaughter loved the book. I am familiar with the artist as he is the husband of my dear cousin in Ohio. It brings back memories of my father's family farms and the years I spent in Ohio as a child. It also represents the area that I have lived in for 35 years in Michigan,a peaceful farming community. I would recommend this book to be added to any classroom book collections or in a home with young children.

Great little book!
This is a beautifully illustrated, wonderfully written book for any child. Whether they're from the city or the country, they can't help but be intrigued by the blue tractor and all it's functions. It's a great little book to educate and inspire little ones. Hope this is first in a series????