Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River Hardcover – Picture Book, January 31, 2001

I love this book and so does my daughter. I really enjoy reading this to her and doing different voices and sound effects, we both enjoy the detailed illustrations. I wish that more books published today had the care and value in Little Golden Books. The story is rich but easy for a child to understand, the illustrations are whimsical but masterful. Each page is a work of art. We love Little Golden Books and this was one we knew we had to our library.Scuffy is a little bit controversial because I think a lot of people see it as telling kids not to dream big and to play it safe. I really don't think that is the message at all. Scuffy goes out into the world on his own, and does brave and scary things. He's a tiny toy tugboat that eventually makes it from a bathtub to an ocean. On the way he goes through small streams and huge rivers (which can be helpful in teaching kids about bodies of water and things like that) and has many adventures. Eventually he makes it back to his bathtub where he realizes that he's happy.He DID dream big and he DID make it to the ocean, but when he got there he realized that #1 it was scary and he didn't like it as much as he thought he would and #2 he missed the man with the polka dot tie and the little boy who loved him! How many times have you planned something and it didn't turn out how you wanted it to? Or did something you wanted to do and wished you hadn't?As an adult, I identify with Scuffy in so many ways. I currently travel with my daughter and husband thousands of miles away from my home and everyone I love because my husband is in the military. I miss my family and friends so much, and sometimes I'm scared to be away from them. I miss a lot of big things, like births in the family, weddings, etc. But I know I was meant for bigger things, (taking care of my family, being with my husband) but one day I will go back to them (my bathtub) when my husband's time with the military is over.These are the types of lessons we should be teaching our children so that when they go out into the world they will remember that they still will have a home with their loving parents and family. Even though they are meant for bigger things, there's a cozy bathtub waiting for them if they need it. Knowing they always have a fortress of love and understand behind them, kids will be empowered to face the scary things in the world.

Cute book!

Great for kids and grandkids

My 4-year-old grandson loves this book and haves me read it over and over. Just about the only book he'll let me read to him. Great classic!

Great quality book for price!

My son loved The pictures

Classic must have for kid library.

Was my favorite story as a young boy, and it’s also my grandson’s favorite!