We were delighted to welcome beloved children’s author and illustrator Loren Long for a virtual visit to TCS this week. Long is known for his award-winning picture books, which combine heartfelt storytelling with rich, painterly art inspired by the American Regionalist style of the 1920s and 30s. His stories often celebrate kindness, perseverance, and community—values that deeply resonate with our students.

Many children know him through his Otis the Tractor series, featuring a gentle, good-hearted tractor whose adventures reflect Long’s gift for capturing warmth and wonder in rustic landscapes. The children enjoyed learning from Long how to draw Otis step by step during his presentation—and, of course, adding their own creative touches.

Long also shared the inspiration behind his most recent book, The Yellow Bus. He described how he once spotted an old yellow school bus sitting in a farmer’s field, surrounded by goats—an image that sparked his imagination. How had the bus come to rest there? To help visualize the story, he even built a room-sized model of the bus’s journey out of cardboard scraps. That spark grew into a #1 New York Times bestseller—a moving, almost cinematic tale about change, resilience, and time’s passage.

For these autumn days, a lovely book to read together is Long’s Little Tree, the story of a young tree who can’t bear to let go of his leaves, even as the seasons change. Despite the gentle encouragement of his forest friends, he clings to what he knows—until he discovers that growth requires letting go. Its poignant message is one that children and adults alike can appreciate.

Another favorite at TCS is Someone Builds the Dream, illustrated by Long. This gorgeous book invites readers to notice the many hands and talents behind the making of our world—from bridges and wind farms to amusement parks and even picture books. Long’s vibrant illustrations, inspired by WPA murals of the 1930s, honor the dignity of all work and the joy of collaboration. As the book reminds us, “It takes a team to build a dream.”

We were honored to hear Loren Long share the stories behind his art and the “labor of love” that each of his books represents. His visit not only inspired our students as readers and artists, but also reminded us of the beauty of imagination, perseverance, and the power of community—values at the heart of The Children’s School.

Perhaps a visit to the library to discover more of his books would be the perfect way to enjoy the weekend!

Maureen