What do you think?
Rate this book
Anchored
Despite being oceans apart,Tug and Ship are connected by strong bonds in Anchored, a tale of love and connection told through the relationship of a tugboat and a cargo ship. Debra Tidball was inspired to write Anchored by the watercraft she observed on harbourvside walks, especially the tugboats that send huge ships out into the open ocean and welcome them back again after long, sometimes perilous journeys. ‘As a parent, it made me think about the sustaining power of love ― how holding someone in your heart can make you more courageous, and make the world seem like a better, brighter place despite not being together.’ With her social work background and Masters Qualification in Children’s Literature, Debra understands the vital role attachment plays in child development. In a world where many parents are separated from their children for periods of time due to work and/or living arrangements, a sense of attachment can feel stretched. Anchored is a reassuring book reminding children that their attachment with their parents/caregivers can sustain time apart: they are firmly anchored in each other’s hearts. Anchored honors the intrinsic value and worth of a child and the sustaining power of love. It’s an empowering story that will give children a sense of pride and strength to get through the ‘missing you’ days.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 16, 2023
Well this was absolutely heartwarming! 🥰 gorgeous artwork and message - it had me clutching my heart on page 1 🥹
December 28, 2024
Aw, this is such a lovely and sweet picture book which I’m sure will be loved by many children. Tug doesn’t like to see Ship leaving, but while Ship is away, Tug does her best to work, pushing and pulling things. But the longer Ship is away, the sadder Tug feels, and she begins to wonder if Ship is missing her as much as she is missing Ship. This hardback is wider than A4 in size and is filled with glossy pages of some really lovely illustrations and text.
The story in this book is so lovely with Tug getting worried about the long separation of her and Ship, but when Ship finally returns Tug learns just how important she is to Ship and how she’s always with Ship no matter how far away they may be. The story is perfect at explaining how much a parent loves a child even though they might have to be away for some time. I remember having strong separation anxiety when I was a child and I would have benefitted from this book which does a good job of explaining how much a parent’s love stays with the child no matter how far or how long apart they are.
The illustrations are so adorable! I love how both Tug and Ship have such different expressions despite being obvious marine vehicles. Tug is so cute and looks like a young child, which makes you feel for her all the more while she’s separated from Ship and I love the images we see when they are later reunited, especially one particular image seen in the stars. Overall this is such a lovely story and as the blurb on the back of the book says, this really is a ‘warm hug of a story’! You just want to smile so much after looking at this, and it’s a wonderful story to explain to children how much they are loved even if their parents have to go away for a while. It’s such a sweet story and one I’m sure children (and adults) will enjoy looking at again and again. 🙂
-Thanks to EK Books for a free copy.
The story in this book is so lovely with Tug getting worried about the long separation of her and Ship, but when Ship finally returns Tug learns just how important she is to Ship and how she’s always with Ship no matter how far away they may be. The story is perfect at explaining how much a parent loves a child even though they might have to be away for some time. I remember having strong separation anxiety when I was a child and I would have benefitted from this book which does a good job of explaining how much a parent’s love stays with the child no matter how far or how long apart they are.
The illustrations are so adorable! I love how both Tug and Ship have such different expressions despite being obvious marine vehicles. Tug is so cute and looks like a young child, which makes you feel for her all the more while she’s separated from Ship and I love the images we see when they are later reunited, especially one particular image seen in the stars. Overall this is such a lovely story and as the blurb on the back of the book says, this really is a ‘warm hug of a story’! You just want to smile so much after looking at this, and it’s a wonderful story to explain to children how much they are loved even if their parents have to go away for a while. It’s such a sweet story and one I’m sure children (and adults) will enjoy looking at again and again. 🙂
-Thanks to EK Books for a free copy.
April 25, 2023
Tug is very busy every day in the harbour, pushing, pulling and prodding much bigger boats. Tug likes her job, but is feeling a bit low at the moment.
Ship has gone away on a trip, leaving Tug without her usual bravery and buoyancy on the waves as she works.
Although Ship promised to be home again soon, Tug’s thoughts are filled with how much she misses Ship and whether Ship misses her too.
When Tug’s mood is as low as can be in the water, she hears the BOOM of Ship’s horn. Ship is coming home! Tug’s hull lifts along with her spirits as she makes straight for Ship out in the harbour.
After a happy greeting they talk about having to be apart sometimes and Ship assures Tug that she is always in her thoughts, even though not together.
The next time Ship has to go away, Tug knows…
They were anchored in each other’s hearts.
Author Debra Tidball has qualifications in social work and children’s literature. Anchored is a beautiful story all on its own, but also explores the feelings a child may have with separation anxiety.
This gentle story reassures a child that their caregiver / parent will always return and that all will be well if they have to be apart for a time.
The illustrations soft blue hues of the harbour are soothing and calm, and the sounds of Tug and Ship greeting each other again will be fun to sound out with a listening child.
A timeless story for our busy lives.
Ship has gone away on a trip, leaving Tug without her usual bravery and buoyancy on the waves as she works.
Although Ship promised to be home again soon, Tug’s thoughts are filled with how much she misses Ship and whether Ship misses her too.
When Tug’s mood is as low as can be in the water, she hears the BOOM of Ship’s horn. Ship is coming home! Tug’s hull lifts along with her spirits as she makes straight for Ship out in the harbour.
After a happy greeting they talk about having to be apart sometimes and Ship assures Tug that she is always in her thoughts, even though not together.
The next time Ship has to go away, Tug knows…
They were anchored in each other’s hearts.
Author Debra Tidball has qualifications in social work and children’s literature. Anchored is a beautiful story all on its own, but also explores the feelings a child may have with separation anxiety.
This gentle story reassures a child that their caregiver / parent will always return and that all will be well if they have to be apart for a time.
The illustrations soft blue hues of the harbour are soothing and calm, and the sounds of Tug and Ship greeting each other again will be fun to sound out with a listening child.
A timeless story for our busy lives.
March 10, 2024
A gentle story about separation and friendship told by Tug, a tug boat in a busy port, who is especially close to ship. When ship heads out to sea it travels vast distances and weathers storms and wild seas. the illustrations reflect the mood of the story showing the contrast in size between Tug and Ship, Tug's duties within the port and Ship's travels. Large illustrated text captures the sounds of joy when the friends are united. the text
A book to generate discussion on separation, friendship and also ships, shipping and ports. I felt it was a bit bland and lacked tension to fully engage the reader but still a pleasant read
A 2024 CBCA Notable title in both the Early Childhood and Picture Book of the Year categories
A book to generate discussion on separation, friendship and also ships, shipping and ports. I felt it was a bit bland and lacked tension to fully engage the reader but still a pleasant read
A 2024 CBCA Notable title in both the Early Childhood and Picture Book of the Year categories
August 28, 2023
Oh what a delightful book!
Anchored tells the story of Tug and Ship, a warm hearted parable about how we cope when the people we love are far away from us. I love the depth of the narrative (as usual, Tidball goes straight for the heart) and the beautiful artwork by Arielle Li.
Anchored is lovely. Thoroughly recommended.
Anchored tells the story of Tug and Ship, a warm hearted parable about how we cope when the people we love are far away from us. I love the depth of the narrative (as usual, Tidball goes straight for the heart) and the beautiful artwork by Arielle Li.
Anchored is lovely. Thoroughly recommended.
September 16, 2023
Anchored is a sweet story, perfect for young children. It can help them feel comfort when they are separated from their loved ones when they go to preschool, school, parents who travel work or any other type of separation.
July 25, 2023
I loved this cute little read. ⚓️
March 18, 2024
A sweet tale about how we are bound to the ones we love, even when we are apart.
June 9, 2023
After I read Anchored I felt that the two boats it features – Tug and Ship – may have taken a little piece of my heart. They certainly made me want to curl up and read the story repeatedly. For a picture book with few words, it was the passion in them and in the illustrations which pulled at me. The beauty of this book is in its simplicity, and it is perfect. It has an important message for every reader, one that is not subtle which is ideal because love is a message that should not be hidden but one that should be shouted about and celebrated.
When Tug watches Ship pull out of the dock and into the deep ocean she watches until Ship becomes just a speck on the horizon. As a parting message Ship has told Tug they will see one another again soon but the gap between them has now widened. To fill her time and the gap Tug keeps herself busy, with pushing, pulling and prodding but she cannot stop wondering if Ship has missed her. All the time that Ship is away the sea is less bright, Tug feels a little less brave and a little more alone. Then the day comes, the day she hears the Boom of Ship and replies with her Toot. Ship has lots to share about the adventures from the deep, but we learn, even Ship was lonely, and it was knowing Tug was out there which made the days better. A hug in a book.
When Tug watches Ship pull out of the dock and into the deep ocean she watches until Ship becomes just a speck on the horizon. As a parting message Ship has told Tug they will see one another again soon but the gap between them has now widened. To fill her time and the gap Tug keeps herself busy, with pushing, pulling and prodding but she cannot stop wondering if Ship has missed her. All the time that Ship is away the sea is less bright, Tug feels a little less brave and a little more alone. Then the day comes, the day she hears the Boom of Ship and replies with her Toot. Ship has lots to share about the adventures from the deep, but we learn, even Ship was lonely, and it was knowing Tug was out there which made the days better. A hug in a book.
February 10, 2026
An absolutely charming story about being away from a loved one. The nautical colour scheme creates a lovely atmosphere and the storyline has a unique perspective that shows how both the leaver and the left behind feel. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews