Scruffy the Tugboat by Gertrude Crampton

Genre: Fiction/Picture Book
Age Range: For infants and children in preschool
Summary: Scruffy is a little toy tugboat discontented because he is trapped in a toy store. He wants to have adventures! He was meant for bigger things! He was so cross, no one would buy him, so the shop owner takes him to the brook with his son. Once in the brook, Scruffy takes his chance and sails away. As he sails along, the brook turns into a river, and then into a large bay where giant ships are loading and unloading cargo and people. Scruffy becomes frightened and begins to wish for his place back in the toy shop. Just as he is about to sail past the last piece of land, a hand reaches out to pick him up. The shop owner and his son take Scruffy home and Scruffy is glad to sail in the bathtub from then on. Scruffy the Tugboat teaches us that sometimes our self importance can get us into trouble. Often, we are better off to be content where we are.