I'm Mighty!

In this husband-and-wife team's saucy follow-up to I Stink! (narrated by a city garbage truck) another feisty fellow-a tugboat in a bustling harbor-immediately draws readers into his world, bellowing, "Hey! Over here! Yeah, me, the little guy." The brassy tug explains that ships entering the harbor need him, " 'Cause I'm mighty! And I can nudge, bump, butt, shove, ram, push, and pull 'em in." He cheerfully chats with the various vessels he services, calling each by name: "Yo, Moby Dee! Your ride's here!" he yells to "a low-riding tanker with a belly full of oil." A cutaway view shows the hero steering Moby clear of shallow waters. After helping a freighter loaded with cars ("a six-decker doozie") and a "super-duper" cruise ship safely to their docks, the tug announces, "I'm all tuggered out" and turns in for some shut-eye before the morning, when three more ships are due. Though not as kid-pleasingly outrageous as its predecessor (the hero of I Stink! offers an amusing litany of the icky items he gobbles up), this tale introduces an equally likable and enthusiastic voice. Jim McMullan's fresh, funny art portrays the personified tug sporting a baseball cap, his eyes fashioned from the front windows and his beaming mouth set into the bow. With its copious sound effects and type set in various sizes and configurations, this tale makes for one jaunty journey. Kids will happily climb aboard. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2-Like the train in Watty Piper's The Little Engine That Could (Platt & Munk, 1930), the tugboat in I'm Mighty shows how one small machine can accomplish mighty tasks. The tug, depicted in the manner of early animation seen in Steamboat Willie, with eyes for windows and a bumper mouth, checks his gear, knows what he can do, and tows everything from a low-riding tanker to a "six-decker doozie," steering these behemoths safely to harbor. Text appears in assorted sizes and colors, often escalating to reflect the intensity of the little boat's actions. Young listeners will enjoy repeating many of the words and using them to chime in on the story. Illustrations rendered from the tiny tug's perspective appear to be a combination of paints and inks that boldly reinforce the little worker and his duties. Libraries will want this book for storytime and to motivate beginning readers.-Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KY

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.