Tugboat
Tugboats are small in size but can take charge of some pretty mighty jobs! Readers will enjoy following this Hudson River tugboat as it completes a variety of tasks, such as carrying heavy parts for the Willis Avenue Bridge renovation, pulling a fireworks barge, and working through a blowing snowstorm. This nonfiction book introduces related vocabulary through an end-of-book glossary and provides background on the Willis Avenue Bridge. Each illustration contains much to see and talk about, captivating both child and adult readers.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
As adults are reading this book with children, it would be fun to look at the words that appear on some of the boats. Some boats are named for the job that they do, or the place they are located, while others are given a sentimental name by their owners. Children might enjoy drawing a picture of their own unique boats, and then choosing a name for it. Does their boat move fast or slow? Is it small or large? What types of jobs does it do? Adults will inspire children to learn new vocabulary words that appear in the book’s glossary by using some of the words themselves as they discuss the children’s boat drawings with them.
A glossary is a very helpful tool to use when preparing to read a new book to children, especially if the topic is somewhat unfamiliar. This book provides a simple, illustrated glossary in the back of the book, as well as a brief paragraph on the Willis Avenue Bridge. Encourage adults to look over these sections prior to reading with children, so they are more prepared for questions the children might ask. After the story, it might be fun to play a game using the glossary. For example, the adult could ask the child, "Can you find a tall ship? A tall ship is a large ship that has sails." The adult and child can take turns giving clues and identifying items in the glossary.