Little Toot and his father go to Maine where Little Toot gets lost while exploring with his friend Bob

Little Toot and the Lighthouse based on the character created by Hardie Gramatky is an all time favorite book with my Grandson! I bought the 2002 Edition with the story concept by Linda Gramatky-Smith and illustrated by Mark Weber. The original book in 1999 by Linda's father Hardie who was an ex-Disney artist, is full of creative expression. My 19 month old Grandson doesn't know the difference and in fact is learning to be gentle with the paper pages if that goal is at all possible to achieve at this stage. He loves to look upon Little Toot's face, pointing to the tug boat as I read to him aloud.

The story begins at the New York Harbor with Little Toot excitedly riding the big waves and watching the big boats and ocean liners come into the harbor. But every so often he wonders what it would be like beyond the breakwater. Sometimes one imagines all sorts of adventures beyond where we are. Have you ever felt that way?

The book goes on to tell about Little Toot, a tug boat, and his father and the trip they take together to Maine to visit some friends. All along the way, Toot's father explains to him that to find his way back, he must remember the landmarks that he sees on the way up. He receives good counsel here that proves to be valuable information later on in the story.

Together Big and Little Toot pass by the beaches of Connecticut and Rhode Island and after sometime arrive at Nubble Light, Maine's grand lighthouse! As the story unfolds Little Toot meets a new friend Bob, a small row boat, and together they go far away from their parents to play on the beach. Night approaches and they both forget how to get back home but soon the main character, Little Toot, is determined to conquer and solve his problem by remembering the landmarks.

Soon after rounding the buoy, they reach the familiar lighthouse. Don't you just love these little "aha moments"?! Then Little Toot leads the way back home. The two little boats are warmly received by Big Toot with "Thank goodness you're okay... You should always tell me before you take off like that." Then Little Toot leads the way back home to the harbor because he remembers all the familiar landmarks and he knows the way!

What a darling story full of important messages and a delight for any toddler to see the illustrations of this cute, adorable little tug boat with his happy face and his balls of smoke puffed out of his candy-stick smokestack. A great book for the little ones, 5+ stars! ( )