Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River

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!

Wonderful book for children just learning to read. Great story with illustrations of river scenes, many no longer around in our country. I had a copy of "Scuffy" in the early 1950s and even recreated the scene of the man with the polka dot tie and his son and Scuffy at the brook for a second grade "shadowbox" book report. I bought a current edition for a great-grandson, age 5; however, it seemed to have been condensed with fewer illustrations from what I remembered. So, I also bought a used 1946 first edition from a third party seller on amazon. Considering books in this series cost a quarter each back then, both prices I paid were reasonable. The first edition was in good shape and even had a former owner's name on the inside cover. "Scuffy" should be part of every childhood!

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.

Great book bringing back fond memories.

This is a great story for kids who like to play in the dirt making rivers. I bought if for a friend of mine with a 6-year-old who loves to play with water in the back yard!

Classic must have for kid library.

My four year old has asked me to read this as a bedtime story 3 days in a row now and even painted a picture of Scuffy the tugboat at her preschool. The book is from 1946 and the illustrations show it, but it's a timeless story of a tugboat who is full of himself and thinks he is too good for his family and learns that in a big, scary world it's important to have people who care about you. We all know a Scuffy: indeed, Scuffy reminds me a lot of myself as a teenager!

The original Little Golden Books are the best. The stories often teach important life lessons and the illustrations are superb. I loved them when I was young and now I love giving them as little gifts.

I love these simple short story books. purchased this book for my grandchildren.

Il libro è ben confezionato, la storia invece è molto discutibile, con una morale "stai al posto tuo e non provare a sfidare i tuoi limiti". Deve essere una storia nata in un'epoca molto perbenista.

Tres jolie collection, j' en racheterai. Format agreable.

My grandsons will love this book.

The original story in a newly printed original looking hardcover golden book. This has become one of children's favorite stories.