Scuffy the Tugboat

Written by Gertrude Crampton · Illustrated by Tibor Gergely

A tugboat's quest for adventure leads to a surprising discovery about home.

4.0/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 21,174 ratings

24 pages· 990 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Scuffy the Tugboat dreams of grand adventures beyond the bathtub. Leaving behind the man with the polka-dot tie and his little boy, Scuffy embarks on a journey downriver. As he navigates the vast world, Scuffy faces unexpected challenges and realizes that perhaps the comfort of home is what he truly desires. Will Scuffy find his way back, or is he destined for bigger things? This timeless tale invites readers to explore the balance between adventure and belonging.

From the publisher

One of the most beloved children’s stories ever—the classic Little Golden Book tale of Scuffy, an adventurous little tugboat.

Meant for “bigger things,” Scuffy the Tugboat leaves the man with the polka-dot tie and his little boy and sets off to explore the world. But on his daring adventure down the river, Scuffy realizes that home is where he’d rather be, sailing in his bathtub. Generations of parents and children have cherished this classic Little Golden Book, originally published in 1946.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 24
Words: 990
Reading age: 2–5
Audience: Picture
Lexile: ~530L

Themes & topics

Books about boats Books about transportation Books about boats, ships and underwater vehicles Books about tugboats Books about self-discovery

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

Good to know

Stories behind the story

How many copies of Scuffy the Tugboat have been sold?

Over 7.3 million copies have been sold.

What is the Little Golden Book series that Scuffy the Tugboat is a part of?

The Little Golden Book series began in 1942 and was created with the intent to be affordable for most people, sold at twenty-five cents at everyday shopping locations. The books in this series can be recognized by their gold-foil spines.