Scuffy the Tugboat

Name: Scuffy the Tugboat
ISBN: 9780307160591

by Gertrude Crampton

For the adventurous toddler who wants to be 'big' but still needs the comfort of home. A classic tale about exploring the world and finding where you belong.

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About This Book

Reach for this book when your little one is testing their boundaries or expressing a desire to do big things all by themselves. It is the perfect choice for the preschooler who swings between fierce independence and needing the security of a parent's lap. The story follows a toy tugboat who believes he is meant for bigger things than a bathtub, only to find that the vast, rushing world is much more overwhelming than he anticipated. Through Scuffy's journey from a small brook to the scary, bustling city docks, children learn that while exploring is exciting, there is a deep and necessary safety in belonging to someone who loves you. It is a gentle, classic tool for validating a child's ambition while providing the emotional 'anchor' they need to feel secure at home.

Vehicles & Machines Curiosity & Wonder Becoming a Big Kid Loneliness & Belonging Nature & Outdoors Ocean & Marine Life Fear & Bravery Growing Up

What Parents Should Know

Mild PerilMild

Scuffy becomes frightened by the size of the ocean and the speed of the river.

Sensitive Topics

The book deals with the fear of being lost or overwhelmed by the world. The approach is metaphorical, using the scale of the river vs. the tugboat to represent a child's perspective on the adult world. It is secular and the resolution is hopeful and restorative.