Hardie GramatkyRecensioni

The first sequel to Gramatky's first children's book, 1939's Little Toot, tells the story of the adventurous tugboat's journey across the Atlantic to London. There he encounters London Bridge, the Henley Royal Regatta, and (RMS) Queen Elizabeth herself, who tows him home.

Little Toot the tugboat conquers his fear of rough seas when he rescues an ocean liner during a storm.

Little Toot and his father go to Maine where Little Toot gets lost while exploring with his friend Bob

I thought that this book was cute, however I didn't think that there was much that was special about it. For example, the story had a really basic plot, Little Toot didn't like to work so he played all day, the other tugboats saw what he was doing and made fun of him, telling him things like, "you only know how to play." Little Toot gets sad, and then there is a storm and then Little Toot turns out to save the day. There just wasn't anything that was special about this story, there was nothing in particular that stood out during the story. The biggest part of the story was Little Toot rescuing a big ship that was stuck between two rocks by puffing out SOS with his smoke stack to grab the attention of the other tug boats. I did like the illustrations in this book, however. I thought that it was cool how the tug boats were more detailed and vibrant than the backgrounds/water. For example, the tug boats were very colorful with bold colors such as yellow, red, and green and the backgrounds were neutral and the water was a dull blue. It really made you focus on just the tug boats and not everything else in the background.

The big idea of this story is to never underestimate someone. The other tug boats underestimated Little Toot because he played all the time and did things like create figure eights, play thread-the-needle around the piers, and glided anytime he could. They didn't think that he could work as hard as they did and in the end he was the one who helped get the ship out between the two rocks. So, no matter how big or small you are, you should never underestimate someone because they do not do the same things as you do, or because they do not do the same things the way you do them.

I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I like the descriptive language and the plot of the book, however, I did not like the length of it. The language provided many adjectives such as, “chubby smokestack.” In addition there were similes throughout the entire book, for example, “…a volley of smoke balls which bubbled over his wake like balloons.” In addition, the plot of the story is motivating and suspenseful. This story creates drama that makes the reader wonder if Little Toot will make it. However, because Little Toot does become a hero, the book proves motivation and determination. Although the story has its pros, I think the length was a bit too long and some of the pages in the book were unnecessary. Some of the text drags out the drama, which could bore a reader and make them not as engaged. Overall, this was an engaging book!

Little Toot and the Lighthouse based on the character created by Hardie Gramatky is an all time favorite book with my Grandson! I bought the 2002 Edition with the story concept by Linda Gramatky-Smith and illustrated by Mark Weber. The original book in 1999 by Linda's father Hardie who was an ex-Disney artist, is full of creative expression. My 19 month old Grandson doesn't know the difference and in fact is learning to be gentle with the paper pages if that goal is at all possible to achieve at this stage. He loves to look upon Little Toot's face, pointing to the tug boat as I read to him aloud.

The story begins at the New York Harbor with Little Toot excitedly riding the big waves and watching the big boats and ocean liners come into the harbor. But every so often he wonders what it would be like beyond the breakwater. Sometimes one imagines all sorts of adventures beyond where we are. Have you ever felt that way?

The book goes on to tell about Little Toot, a tug boat, and his father and the trip they take together to Maine to visit some friends. All along the way, Toot's father explains to him that to find his way back, he must remember the landmarks that he sees on the way up. He receives good counsel here that proves to be valuable information later on in the story.

Together Big and Little Toot pass by the beaches of Connecticut and Rhode Island and after sometime arrive at Nubble Light, Maine's grand lighthouse! As the story unfolds Little Toot meets a new friend Bob, a small row boat, and together they go far away from their parents to play on the beach. Night approaches and they both forget how to get back home but soon the main character, Little Toot, is determined to conquer and solve his problem by remembering the landmarks.

Soon after rounding the buoy, they reach the familiar lighthouse. Don't you just love these little "aha moments"?! Then Little Toot leads the way back home. The two little boats are warmly received by Big Toot with "Thank goodness you're okay... You should always tell me before you take off like that." Then Little Toot leads the way back home to the harbor because he remembers all the familiar landmarks and he knows the way!

What a darling story full of important messages and a delight for any toddler to see the illustrations of this cute, adorable little tug boat with his happy face and his balls of smoke puffed out of his candy-stick smokestack. A great book for the little ones, 5+ stars!