Turtle Tug to the Rescue

by Michael Slack

Turtle Tug is on the lookout! This chugging, tugging turtle powers through gusty winds and treacherous tides, combing the seas to protect his friends from a dangerous storm. From panicking puffins to entangled sperm whales, Turtle Tug is out to rescue all his sea-dwelling friends. He's a turtle tugboat on a mission to make the world a safer place.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Transport, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

Michael is an author, illustrator, and character designer. He uses bold colors, and fun shapes to create his quirky character-driven art. His illustrations can be found in books, magazines and on television. He has designed artwork for various children's products and apparel. His paintings and drawings have been exhibited in the U.S. and Europe.


Michael is represented by Painted-Words Represents

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and engaging story for the little ones with fun illustrations.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy reading this sea story as much. Some words are a bit on the harder side for my three year old. Illustrations are beautiful.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tugboat-shaped turtle lives on the ocean, swimming around and greeting its friends. But when a typhoon hits, Turtle Tug springs into action. The story follows Turtle Tug as it tracks down marine creatures who are in danger, whether directly from the typhoon or indirectly from other problems that the typhoon will exacerbate. Turtle Tug successfully rescues its charges, and pulls them all to safety.
Turtle Tug is obviously not an actual animal, but the rest of its friends are, and its travels serve as a way to introduce different marine species. As the story progresses and the typhoon hits, the illustrations show some of the animals in man-made predicaments, helping young readers to understand the impact human intervention can have. The art itself is colorful and engaging. Notably, the writing rhymes, which suits the whimsical premise and lends itself to reading aloud. (KP)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slack, Michael Turtle Tug to the Rescue. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2017. $17.

This turtle’s shell is beyond ordinary – it is a tugboat! Turtle Tug patrols the ocean, helping out during sunny times and leaping to the rescue during sudden storms.

Oh! I need a stuffed animal of this little guy right away! Or even a plastic toy – anything as long s it is big enough to “rescue” other friends in danger at play time. Great for story time of any size.

Pre-K – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book looked so cute on the shelf, but it wasn't quite what I expected. This is set as an easy-reader book, yet it has words like "tempestuous" and "steward" in it. What child could even begin to follow? You would have to stop every 5 seconds and explain the word that you just read and they didn't understand. The only somewhat saving grace that this book has is that it teaches not to litter in the ocean because it is hazardous to the animals. Only the pictures illustrate this, otherwise it is not covered in the text. The illustrations are pretty cute though.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing his animal rescue series--Monkey Truck and Elecopter--Turtle Tug to the Rescue is terrific fun. I loved how it subtly showed the sperm whale and the squid being in trouble because of human choices, litter and leftover bits of a fishing line. Nothing preachy happening here, just a suggestion to help each other out and clean up and rescue those in need.

Great word choices--howl; dodging; treacherous; drifting; entangled; cargo; typhoon; steward; etc.--that add so much more.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book for toddler/pre-K storytime. The kids loved the pictures and calling out the animals as the saw them (A dolphin! A whale!). It is a rhyming book with a narrative that keeps you interested. The lovely illustrations do a great job of helping inform the new, big words. Really glad I came across this one. Our follow up/transition song was "Bubble, bubble, pop!" and we talked about all the different animals you find in the water.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is perfect for kids who love Octonauts and Puffin Rock. A tug boat who is also a turtle rescues sea creatures during a storm. Simple rhyming language and colorful illustrations make this a good one for very young kids.

Notes on representation: All of the characters depicted are animals.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message of looking out for others, the text has a nice rhythm and rhyme, not sure if I really like the boat nature of the turtle, he's the only objectified one in the ocean, not sure why we could not have the same theme with just a turtle, although kids will like that aspect.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could a great book to share with the little ones. A unique idea as the cover shows, a friendly turtle helps those in trouble during a storm.

Richly colored illustrations are great.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhyming text w/ adorable illustrations.

[Monica Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute and everyone get saved by brave turtle. Nothing new, but charming nonetheless.

[Angela Meas · Rating 3 out of 5]

my son walked away and wouldn't even let me finish.

Nice imagery, but the story to keep kids hooked just isn't there.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love kids books that don't talk down to kids. The drawings are dark and stormy, big words like "tempestuous" are used, and the subject matter is serious. My 2 y.o. gets it completely.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A turtle with a boat on top of his shell journey's through the storm to rescue his sea friends from the rough waters.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful Turtle Tug rescues many sea creatures from the storm, rhyme-style.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle Tug is in for an adventure and a lot of heard work saving all his friends when the typhoon hits. The vocabulary is incredible and rhyming too! This one is a definite 5 star.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for fun word introductions: treacherous, typhoon, tempestuous, and more!

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

GO, TURTLE TUG!
He's saving the sea and he's rhyming while at it!
Yet I have doubts he'll get the proper due credit!

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute, and my older kids enjoyed it, but it got pretty lost on my younger kids, I think because there isn't a whole lot of room for dialogic reading.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute little book!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtle tug rescues various creatures when a storm hits. We got this because M was interested in getting turtle books, and this was a nice change of pace.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Slack is another author I want to keep an eye out for! His books are simple but adorable!

[Tiffany S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved seeing how they worked together to rescue any and all sea creatures in need no matter the size.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting with lots of big words - wish I'd seen this title sooner, it might have been a great addition to storytime. Sadly, it's now out of print after only eight years.

[Amy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie loves this book and has had us read it over and over and over and over and over again. 2 1/2 years old.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure there's much of anything here, but the pictures are beyond adorable. Super bold and kid-friendly! VERY odd decision that the word "tempestuous" was used in a book that seems fitting for PreK kids. But, again, those illustrations are fantastic!

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable story about Turtle Tug who rescues other sea creatures during a storm. I love the illustrations in this book! They reminded me of Cale Atkinson or Dan Santat's style. Would be perfect for an ocean themed storytime.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turtle Tug is a turtle-powered tug boat, who performs daring sea rescues on perilous waters.

This rhyming story is filled with rich vocabulary and vivid illustrations – showing animated facial expressions of the sea creatures he helps.

Turtle Tug is a hero and his adventure is perfect for the preschool crowd!

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A conscientious turtle tug boat patrols the ocean making sure sea creatures stay safe. His first mission is easy. He nudges a snoring seal onto its stomach; the snoring stops, and the seal’s pup can sleep. But when a tempest blows in, Turtle Tug faces the greater challenge with determination. He ends up rescuing puffins and a seal pup, and he even tows a whale tangled in fishing line to safety. At several points during the rescues, the catchy refrain, “Go, Turtle Tug, go!” repeats which gives listeners a chance to join in. The cuteness factor is off the charts. Adorable characters and a gently compelling adventure compensate for the clunky rhyming prose. “He weathers rough waves, his bearings are set, towing his cargo to a harbored inlet.”