Tough Tug

Product Description Tough Tug is a brand-new boat. He likes to swirl and twirl―and run and race. He wants everyone to see what he can do. But when he sails to Alaska for the first time, he finds out what being a tug really means… Short rhythmic phrases on each page alternate with narration in Tug’s voice, leading readers through his experiences from splashing into the water for the first time to a daring rescue. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—A newly constructed tugboat is launched and ready to strut his stuff. He dubs himself Tough Tug and shows off his agility with swirls and twirls. His first assignment is to tow a barge to Alaska. He is very excited and challenges Arctic Tug to race him all the way. The fun and games come to an end when Arctic Tug loses power on the open seas. Tough Tug leaves his barge and tows Arctic Tug back to port. He then picks up his barge and delivers it to Anchorage. He is congratulated of doing a job well done. This story will teach children that no matter what their size, they can succeed if they put your mind to it. The digital illustrations of the boats are drawn to depict human physical traits, such as mustaches, mouths, eyes, teeth, and various types of hats to fit their personalities. The font changes from page to page sometimes to emphasize the action, or to indicate which tug is speaking, or possibly to reinforce vocabulary. However, more often than not, it seems extraneous to say "Heavy Seas! Heavy Seas!" and it also makes for a cluttered to the presentation. VERDICT A feel-good story about a small individual overcoming obstacles. An additional purchase where readers can't get enough of Hardie Gramatky's Little Toot and Stephen Savage's Little Tug.—Annmarie Braithwaite, New York Public Library Review “The anthropomorphized boats have plenty of personality, and readers who study the expressions on the container ships will be rewarded…A brassy, assertive fellow―young readers in the middle of their own power struggles will relate.” ―Kirkus Reviews “A feel-good story about a small individual overcoming obstacles.” ―School Library Journal “ Tough Tug sends positive messages about responsibility and helping others. Repeated phrases on each spread―Slide and Splash, Swirl and Twirl―get exaggerated font sizes and lend a fun rhythm to storytelling.” ―Mom Read It “This delightful book is sure to capture the spirit of young children. Tough Tug has determination and energy, and I yearned to read this book aloud to a classroom of readers. As he adventures to new horizons, Tough Tug realizes just how difficult it is to be a tugboat, but he knows that his passion will get him to his goal. The bright illustrations feature determined, anthropomorphic ships. Readers will feel energized after reading this one.” ―Unleashing Readers “ Tough Tug would be a welcome book for young readers navigating new places or experiences and for those excited by boats and vehicles at home and in classrooms.” ―Celebrate Picture Books “The facial expressions on the boats in Tough Tug are exquisite! So many good character words come to mind as I look at the many faces of Tough Tug! Wow!” ―Literary Fusions About the Author Margaret Read MacDonald is the author of more than sixty books, including Give Up, Gecko!, illustrated by Deborah Melmon, and Too Many Fairies, illustrated by Susan Mitchell. She has a PhD in folklore, as well as master’s degrees in education and library science, and she travels all over the world to tell stories. She and her family spend much of their time on Guemes Island, watching tugboats at work, and once, they got to ride on a newly launched tug built in Anacortes, Washington. Learn more about her at www.margaretreadmacdonald.com. Rob McClurkan is the author and illustrator of Aw, Nuts! and Playdates Rule! and has also illustrated a number of books, including Lucy Loves Goosey by Linda Joy Singleton. He grew up in Tennessee, where his grandparents? farm, Saturday morning cartoon