Review by Booklist Review
Children's yearning to be out in the world, performing useful, even daring deeds, finds expression in a host of books where little vehicles compete with larger machines. This book, starring a tiny tugboat who looks like a little kid, with the outcropping of her wheelhouse resembling a baseball cap is especially apt. Its digitally composed watercolor-and-gouache illustrations are filled with movement and charming details that will completely win readers over while they follow Mighty Tug through a busy day in New York Harbor. The story begins with Mighty Tug pulling a cargo ship and then a giant barge, passing by a bridge holding a satisfying array of cars and trucks. Next, she motors into the bay (splish splash) to aid some stranded rafts, before guiding more boats into port. Just as the tug is ending her day, a fireboat rings its alarm, and Mighty Tug gets a boat billowing black smoke within sprinkler range. As night falls, Mighty Tug sends out a lullaby-like song to the harbor, wishing it sweet dreams and a busy tomorrow.--Fletcher, Connie Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Mighty Tug has a full day of work on the New York City waterfront: "All aboard! Here I come, busy harbor!" Huge vessels loom over her but never begrudge her help; in fact, they greet Mighty Tug with smiles and almost courtly politeness ("Will you guide us in?"). Capucilli's rhyming text includes some crowd-pleasing sound effects but also hits some choppy waters ("Small but oh so strong, she splashes toward shore,/ where the pigeons peck and the seagulls roar!") and tends to rely on rhetorical questions to move the narrative forward ("What's next in the busy, busy harbor?"). Mottram's digitally manipulated paintings are more successful: subtle anthropomorphism gives the characters a toylike appeal, and the compositions have a shimmery, aquatic texture well suited to the setting. Some readers may yearn for more drama or conflict than the brief fire episode that concludes the book, but it's refreshing to encounter a small-in-stature character who never doubts herself or feels compelled to curry favor with those bigger than her. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Liza Voges, Eden Street Literary. Illustrator's agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Group. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Mighty Tug may be little but she works hard from morning to night in the busy New York harbor. She tows a cargo ship, a big barge, some stray rafts, a ferry, and a container ship before calling it a day. "But wait! A speedy fireboat stacked with hoses and jugs cries out, 'Sound the alarm! Will you help us, Mighty Tug?' Ready as ever, and oh so brave, the mighty little tug leads the way across the waves!" Young readers will enjoy the onomatopoeia from the wake-up and goodnight song of "Clang Clang Clang Clang" to the tide going "Splish Splash Splish Splash" and a "Vroom Vroom Vroom" as the little red boat heads to shore. Rings, beeps, and rumbles round out the day, "All are safe in the busy, busy harbor. With a wave of her flag, Mighty Tug turns away. She's tired, but so proud of her busy harbor day." Fans of Stephen Savage's Little Tug and Gertrude Crampton and Tibor Gergely's Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River will enjoy this ode to a little hero. The digitally composed illustrations in watercolor and gouache portray the boats, big and small, with human expressions reminiscent of those in Thomas the Tank Engine, while the city appears in simple, graphic shapes in the background. VERDICT A sweet addition to the small but mighty subgenre, perfect for storytime and one-on-one sharing.-Barbara Auerbach, Formerly at New York City Public Schools © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Mighty Tug, a cheery, hard-working tugboat, pilots in New York City's "busy, busy harbor." Told in rhyme and with lots of sound words, the story describes how she heroically hauls and guides all kinds of vessels, including a fireboat on a rescue mission. Rendered in watercolor and gouache and composed digitally, the blocky illustrations offer plenty of action and details for boat enthusiasts. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
