Tractor Mac

Tractor Mac

by Billy Steers

Sibley the horse enjoys working year round on Stony Meadow Farm, until Farmer Bill comes home with a shiny new tractor that seems able to do all of Sibley's old jobs

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 1999

About the author

In April 1999, I introduced the first children’s book that I wrote and illustrated, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm. Originally published by Golden Books, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm tells the story of Sibley the work horse who feels slighted when a “shiny new tractor comes and takes over his chores.” Sibley and Mac overcome their differences and become “the best of friends.” Publisher’s Weekly called it a “bright, spirited read aloud” and after only five months the book was in its second printing.

I have continued on with several more enthralling and likeable Tractor Mac children’s books for boys and girls in the series. Children love the bright, detailed illustrations and absorbing stories, which have become “bedtime favorites.” Subsequent stories include Tractor Mac Learns to Fly followed by Tractor Mac You’re a Winner, Tractor Mac Builds a Barn, Tractor Mac Harvest Time, Tractor Mac Saves Christmas, Tractor Mac Parade’s Best, Tractor Mac Farmer’s Market and Tractor Mac Tune Up. The 10th title in the series, Tractor Mac Farm Days, is a board book developed for the littlest tractor fans and was released in the spring of 2012.

Reviews

[Rachael Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story that explains what draft horses and tractors can do on a farm. The illustrations are cute. The story is a bit too wordy to use for a storytime.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts off seeming as if it might be a machinery versus the "old ways" type story. I was grateful when it did not turn out to be the case! Sibley the horse is at first very put-out by the arrival of the new tractor Mac, because he gets to do all Sibley's old work. But as it turns out, there is some work that Tractor Mac can't do--he gets mired and stuck in a muddy field!--and that's where Sibley comes to the rescue. Tractor Mac and Sibley find that they can both work on the farm together. I'm not sure how true to reality this would be for most farms, but I do like the idea that we can find a way to use both new technology and the tried-and-true traditions.

This review is the same for Tractor Mac Arrives on the Farm (which is the same story).

[Valerie Wyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves tractors so of course this book caught my eye. So glad it did because we have found one of our new favorite book series to read together. Great illustrations and cute story.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My late father's name was Mac, and he had both horses and tractors, so I had to read this book. It was a cute story, perfect for farm loving kids.

[Bpeterson3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac the tractor is new to the farm, and he is replacing the work that Sibley used to do. Sibley is sad that he is being replaced, but suddenly is called out to pull Mac out of the mud. After that, the farmer uses both of them to help out and Mac and Sibley are great friends.

dealing with change, jealousy, friendship, teamwork

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 2 year old loved the tractor he can almost sit through the whole story looking forward to reading this throughout the year a few times.