Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susannah Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of writers who contribute a picture book review and related resources. On her blog you will find a page called Perfect Picture Books – parents and teachers can use that to locate books that address specific topics.

Today is also International Book Giving Day and Valentine’s Day ! I’m sharing one of the most beloved classic picture books and a craft activity that appeared on my blog three years ago.  Plus, there will be a giveaway of a picture book (I’m not telling which one…don’t you love surprises?)…all you need to do is comment on this post and you will be entered. Little Toot

Written and illustrated by Hardie Gramatky

Publishers: G. P. Putnam (original: 1939, but many different editions over the years)

Ages: 3 – 7

Themes:  I’m taking Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic class…and learning so much about story themes…here are a few Susanna shared with us that apply to Little Toot: Believe in yourself and you can achieve your dreams; there is a time for play and a time for work; courage is doing something even though you are afraid of what might happen

Opening: “At the foot of an old, old wharf lives the cutest, silliest little tugboat you ever saw.  A very handsome tugboat with a brand new candy-stick smoke-stack.  His name is Little Toot.”

Synopsis: Little Toot spends his days “playing” in New York City harbor, getting in the way of the other tugboats that are working hard.  The little tugboat enjoys sailing in a figure-eight and blowing big smoke-balls.  While his father and grandfather, famous for their strength and bravery, work diligently, Little Toot fools around.  The entire fleet of tugboats wonders if Little Toot will ever learn to do the job he was born to do.  However, when a big ocean liner gets into trouble during a storm, Little Toot must decide if he will continue his childish antics or try to rescue the ship.

Why I like this book:

•  Growing up is a difficult task.  Children often hear parents and teachers exclaim, “When will you grow up and act your age?”  Just like Leo the Late Bloomer, Little Toot helps parents realize that their children will mature in their own unique time.   
• The story also gives hope to young children that they will master those tasks and skills that challenge them – it shows them how Little Toot was able to channel his energy in a positive way. Written over 75 years ago, the tale of the little tugboat is timely and timeless.
  
• The book is filled with Mr. Gramatky’s beautiful watercolor illustrations and the text is perfectly simple and simply perfect!  The reader and listener are drawn into the drama on the high seas…will Little Toot be able to rescue the ocean liner?
• Did you know that Andrew Wyeth named Hardie Gramatky one of the 20 all-time great American watercolorists, along with Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer? There is a website dedicated to Little Toot and the other works of Hardie Gramatky with teacher/parent/child activities and information: http://www.littletoot.org/

Related Activities:

Since today is Valentine’s Day, how about making a Tugboat Valentine Box for your child to store all of his or her Valentine cards? I love recycling stuff to do arts and crafts with kids! Shoe boxes are the best!!!

You will need: Shoebox with lid, piece of cardboard (from cereal box or men’s dress shirt), construction paper, markers or crayons, white school glue or glue stick, scissors, Valentine stickers (optional…you can always cut them out of construction paper).

1.      Cut the piece of cardboard to fit the front of the bottom of the box as the “bow” of the boat.  Glue in place.

2.      Cut a hole in the lid for the “mail” slot.

3.      Cover the outside of the box and the lid with construction paper and glue in place.

4.      Cut several strips of paper and roll to form the smoke-stacks.  Glue in place.

5.      You can add decorations and designs with markers, crayons and stickers.

Please come back tomorrow. One of Singapore’s leading picture book authors and a member of 12×12, award-winning Emily Lim, will be ‘in the house’ for WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES.

And don’t forget to leave a comment on last week’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post – one lucky person will win a copy of My Warp Speed Mind by Donalisa Helsley. We will announce the winner next Friday!

Related articles:

Perfect Picture Book Fridays #1 – Lost and Found on Valentine’s Day

http://mommynificent.com/2014/02/13/booknificent-thursday-32/