Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River [Hardcover]

Gertrude Crampton (Author), Tibor Gergely (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Little Golden Book

Meant for “bigger things,” Scuffy the Tugboat sets off to explore the world. But on his daring adventure Scuffy realizes that home is where he’d rather be, sailing in his bathtub. For over 50 years, parents and children have cherished this classic Little Golden Book.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Meant for "bigger things," Scuffy the Tugboat sets off to explore the world. But on his daring adventure Scuffy realizes that home is where he'd rather be, sailing in his bathtub. For over 50 years, parents and children have cherished this classic Little Golden Book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books (January 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307020460
• ISBN-13: 978-0307020468
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SEA IS THE LIMIT, February 5, 2001

By 

"hurburgh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scuffy the Tugboat (Little Golden Storybook) (Hardcover)

.

"Scuffy the Tugboat" is a classic in childrens literature. It has an almost iconic status with people who grew up in the early Baby Boomer years.

Way back in 1946, toy stores were quiet uncrowded places. In one toy shop there was a rocking horse, a GI Joe Doll and a few cuddly soft toys ........ and one grumpy red painted tugboat called Scuffy.

Scuffy was ambitious. He thought he was meant for bigger things, than just sailing in a bathtub.

The toy shop owner (with his memorable polka dot tie) and his little boy, took Scuffy off to a laughing brook. It was springtime and the brook was running fast. Scuffy was soon off on his adventure.

The pastoral world he passed through seemed placid, but at night the hooting owl gave him a fright.

The river got bigger and busier. Scuffy was proud because he knew it was HIS river. He was nearly squashed between two logs that were on their way to the sawmill. With the spring melt a great flood burst the rivers banks. A lady and her cow had to be rescued off her roof.

Pushed along by the floodwaters Scuffy arrived in the big city. It was a very noisy and busy place. When Scuffy tooted nobody noticed.

Scuffy was just about to be swept out to sea. He wished the man with the polka dot tie and his little boy could rescue him. Miracle of miracles, there they were just as Scuffy was about to pass the last bit off land. He was rescued.

Scuffy realises that sailing in the bathtub is not such a bad thing ...... in fact he said "this is the life for me".

The illustrations by Tibor Gergely are what make this book so appealing. The scenes are full of life and activity, be it the pastoral river scene with its friendly animals and the colourful towns and cities. Look for the details in the city scene. Try to find the horses.

Tibor Gergely was a great children's book illustrator from this period. In addition to his artwork in Scuffy you can enjoy his illustrations in those other "Little Golden Book" classics, "The Little Red Caboose" and "Tootle". These three books are perfect companions in any young person's library.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scuffy is all about seeing the big world and returning homr., October 14, 1999

By 

A. N. Norman ([e-mail]) (L.A., California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scuffy the Tugboat (Little Golden Storybook) (Hardcover)

In the early 1950's I was introduced to the wonders of the the world when my parents bought me "Scuffy". Who would have believed that a little red-painted tugboat could captivate me for nearly 50 years.

Scuffy, the brave and somewhat feisty little red- painted tugboat, tires of his existence of living in the toystore owned by the "man with the polka dot tie" and states that he was meant for "bigger things".

The bigger things leads Scuffy on an odyssey through quiet mountain brooks, singing streams, rushing rivers, floods and eventually the sea. On his journey, Scuffy meets cows, men in "great boots" pushing logs, victims of floods and the scariness of the big city. As Scuffy hurtles towards his ultimate destiny, the sea, he longs for the joy and comfort of the toy store and the love of the man with the polka dot tie. Just as Scuffy is about to pass the last piece of land, prior to entering the eternal sea, the man with the polka dot tie catches the frightened red- painted tugboat with the blue smokestack and returns him to the toystore and his new domain, the safe and calming waters of the bathtub.

A delightful work that will surely be requested night after night by children. It was my favourite and my daughter's favourite.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than academia, February 7, 2011

By 

Steve Wyzard (Lomita, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River (Hardcover)

If the world's cynical intellectuals find this book threatening and offensive, it's only because they can't stop admiring themselves in the mirror or updating their resumes long enough to "get it". What we're supposed to take from reading Scuffy the Tugboat is NOT "play it safe - don't follow your dreams", but "maybe, just maybe your dreams aren't all they're cracked up to be". Who among us has never pursued something in life, only to realize, "hey, wait a minute, this wasn't what I thought it would be" or "it wasn't supposed to work out like this"?

Dreams (to say nothing of the "it's-all-about-me" movement) are transitory and ephemeral. I know The Perfect among us live in denial when it comes to regrets, but for the rest of us, this book reminds us that it's never too late to turn back or change your mind. As far as "empowerment" goes, what could be more empowering than being reunited with those who really love you? I've learned more from Scuffy than I did while receiving a college education. That children can understand what it's all about only increases my admiration. Highest of all possible recommendations!