Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet, gentle barnyard show teaches preschoolers empathy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Get Rolling with Otis
What's the Story?
Get Rolling with Otis is a preschool series based on the picture book series by Loren Long. Lovable Otis, a little tractor with a big heart, lives at the Long Hill Dairy Farm with his barnyard friends. The gang includes spunky calf Daisy and her mama cow Rosalie, Polly the puppy, Celeste the pig, Sal the rooster, and Louie the sheep. In between their official farm duties, the animals play together all day long. The friends have some problems to solve, like when Polly pup gets sprayed by a skunk, or when Daisy almost misses the farm's high jump competition. Whenever his friends feel a strong emotion, Otis's tractor heart glows. He "hits the brakes," stopping to figure out how to help. Otis tries different creative solutions until he finds one that works, making everything right on the farm once again.
Is It Any Good?
This gentle, slow-paced show is perfect for very young kids, with storylines that are compelling to preschoolers but also very simple. This simplicity helps little kids understand the social-emotional curriculum of the show, which centers around empathy and resilience. The characters are very clear about the emotions they're feeling, and the super-empathetic Otis feels the emotions right along with his friends. This causes him to pause and try to figure out solutions to his friends' problems. The first solution Otis tries never works, and he has to persevere and try something else. Preschoolers will be attracted to the very adorable farm animals and the fun they have on the farm. While they watch, they'll see great examples of Otis's positive social-emotional skills along the way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Otis's empathy. What does it mean when his heart starts to glow? Does his heart glow when his friends feel all kinds of different emotions? Do you think Otis feels the same way they do?
Does Otis solve the problem on his first try? Does he get frustrated, or does he show perseverance and keep trying until he finds something that works?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 11, 2021
- Cast : Leah Janvier , Griffin Robert Faulkner , Elliott Fullam , Josiah Gaffney , Katie Grober
- Network : Apple TV
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Book Characters , Animals
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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