Tough Tug

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 © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A tugboat's size and might are easy to anthropomorphize; add this personified puffer to the mix.Tough Tug is built near Seattle, made of strong steel welded together and adorned with a fresh coat of bright red paint. Wide googly eyes and a determined smile complete the look. On launch day, Tough Tug triumphantly flashes forward and backward, twirling and swirling through the water. Older tugboats (distinguished variously by mustaches, glasses, and eye patches) grumble at the youngster's bravado. "Push and pull is what tugs do. Practice THAT." Tough Tug's first job is to tow a barge to Alaska. Rhythmic mantras churn across the surface of the water in bold navy letters: "Ready, steady. / Steady, ready. // Chug and tug. / Tug and chug." But Tough Tug is overeager and challenges Arctic Tug to a race. The thrum changes to "Race and run! / Run and race!" Arctic Tug is first to Sitka, but while crossing the open ocean to Anchorage, the older tug gets into trouble. It's Tough Tug to the rescue! McClurkan's digital paintings look quite modern, but there is a feel to his foamy waves that recalls the mid-20th-century harbor of Little Toot. The anthropomorphized boats have plenty of personality, and readers who study the expressions on the container ships will be rewarded. An author's note explains this was inspired by a true story of one tug rescuing another boat from a competing tugboat company. A brassy, assertive fellowyoung readers in the middle of their own power struggles will relate. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.