The Christmas Tugboat: How the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Came to New York City (Hardcover – October 30, 2012).

by George Matteson (Author), Adele Ursone (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator).

Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas tree, and the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City has said it beautifully since 1931. But how does the tree get there? One year, the tugboat captain (and author) George Matteson, his wife, and their daughter traveled by tug to fetch the giant tree. This dramatic picture book tells the story of their real-life journey up the Hudson River, and James Ransome's striking paintings capture the excitement of the trip and the pride of the young girl who helped steer the tug into New York Harbor.

T Is for Tugboat: Navigating the Seas from A to Z (Hardcover – April 16, 2008).

by Traci N. Todd (Author), Sara Gillingham (Author).

Ahoy! Drop anchor for T Is for Tugboat, the nautical follow-up to the alphabet book A Is for Astronaut and its companion C Is for Caboose. Clever photographs and illustrations teach youngreaders about everything from mizzenmasts to crackerjack suits. Land ho!

Little Tug

by Stephen Savage.

From the author of the "New York Times" Best Illustrated Book "Polar Bear Night." Little Tug may not be very tall or very fast, but when the big ships in the harbor need help, they know they can count on him to be there with a push, a pull, and a ride to safety. But what happens when Little Tug gets tired? In full color.

Read aloud video

Tommy The Tugboat (Kindle Edition)

by Grant Gamble (Author).

Tommy the Tugboat works on the river pushing barges and freighters and great ocean liners. One day he receives a distress call to help a big ship that is stuck at the mouth of the river. Tommy's great strengths of character and perseverance prevail in the end where other gave up.

Tommy the Tugboat is the first of a series of children's books designed to display positive human.

Tugga-Tugga Tugboat

by Kevin Lewis, Daniel Kirk (Illustrator).

Popular collaborators Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk have teamed up again to create the perfect read-aloud for bath time or any time. The book brings to life tugboats, tankers, cargo, and more, with a lyrical, repetitive refrain and bold, colorful art. "Toot! Toot!"

Halifax with Kids

Halifax has a lot to offer children (and those who are kids-at-heart), such as the Discovery Centre, Clay Cafe, museums, parks and Theodore Tugboat.

Ride Theodore Tugboat

Take the little ones on a ride in the "Big Harbour" aboard the popular children's television show character, Theodore Tugboat. The famous little tug provides an hour long informative and entertaining tour of the Halifax Harbour. Theodore brings the elements of a busy working harbour to life, with help from Lilly the Lighthouse, Benjamin the Bridge, and the Harbour Master. Tour prices are $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children.

Main Photo: Paul Jerry

TUGBOAT

This children's poem is part of a series I'm writing. Transportation poems just for children.

I'm a tug boat, small and stout,
watch me push those big ships out;
bump and tug for all I'm worth,
guide them safely to their berth.

Early morning, hear me roar,
keep that tanker out from shore;
nudge the liner into place,
see my Captain's smiling face.

Cargo ship needs help from me,
fighting wind and angry sea;
keep it centered, round the side,
push him out with change of tide.

Tireless tugboat, work all day,
making sure the ships don't stray;
push to left and tug to right,
shut my engines down at night.

Wave goodbye to all the crew,
heading off to places new;
back to port in setting sun,
Harbor Master says: "Well Done!"

Original pictures by Graeme King ©Kingpoetry2007 BACK to TOP

Social Bookmarking - Please share my poetry with others

In 1939, Hardie Gramatky saw a small tugboat on New York's East River that didn't work. The scene gave Gramatky ideas for watercolors and his classic children's book.

In 1939, Hardie Gramatky saw a little tugboat in New York's East River that was struggling to move.

The tugboat proved an inspiration for Gramatky, an artist who was also an illustrator for Walt Disney Studios in the late 1920s. Gramatky painted several watercolors of the tugboat and gradually wrote Little Toot, now a children's classic.

In honor of what would have been Gramatky's 100th birthday, Penguin Putnam is reissuing a restored version of Little Toot, reviving the rich colors that were diminished in subsequent editions. The book also features full-color manuscript sketches, and reintroduces parts of the book's original bindings.

Like The Little Engine That Could, the story of Little Toot is a tale of overcoming fear. Known as Little Toot for the small "toot, toot" sound emitted from his whistle, the tiny tugboat learns quickly that he must give up childish ways in order to win the respect of other boats. Soon Little Toot is on the high seas, rescuing an ocean liner during a storm.

Scott Simon and Daniel Pinkwater preview the newly released version of the children's classic.

Product Description:

For the young, intrepid sailor comes the Kid O Tug Boat, a powerful ship ready to take on the toughest tub time tasks. This substantial 8 inch boat is the perfect size for small hands and a big tub. It even comes with a detachable buoy for added water-borne adventure. This unsinkable tug is sonic welded to be completely sealed so it floats perfectly upright. No water gets in so there's never any mold, mildew or mess. Made from the highest quality ABS, the pleasing contemporary design has a rounded feel and no sharp edges. Through bath time play it helps develop eye-hand coordination, motor skills, sensory experience with water, pretend play and imagination. For ages 12 months +.

Kid O Toys, the leader in contemporary developmental and educational toys, makes learning look like child's play. Dedicated to child enrichment through toys that promote and nurture creativity and discovery, we make toys that are designed to delight and engineered to endure. With open-ended play that engage young minds, set imaginations free and celebrate a child's innate brilliance. At Kid O, safety is paramount. Always PVC, Phthalate, BPA and lead free, our toys are tested by independent laboratories and conform to all US and European standards. We make learning look like child's play

Color: Aqua blue

From the Manufacturer: Find your sea legs with this floating tug boat, with detachable life buoy. Perfect for any skipper's bath time.