"Some memories are particularly vivid for good reason. when Linda Gramatky Smith '64 compared current editions of the classic children's book Little Toot, written and illustratd by her father, Hardie Gramatky, with a 1939 original that she bought on eBay, it was like the Wizard of Oz being played in reverse..."

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"Little Toot, Hardie Gramatky's classic children's story about the adventures of a tugboat, is riding the tide of popular acclaim again..."

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From "Big anniversaries for some lesser-known children's books" by Karen Macpherson

It's a big year for significant book anniversaries... From his studio at the tip of Manhattan, artist Hardie Gramatky enjoyed watching boats plying the East River. He was particularly taken with a tugboat that seemed to have its own personality and was never quite in the right place at the right time.

That tugboat became the star of Gramatky's book, "Little Toot." Published in 1939, the picture book about the seemingly useless little tugboat that ends up saving an ocean liner struck a chord with young readers. Now, in honor of what would have been Gramatky's 100th birthday, Putnam has published a new edition of "Little Toot" ($17.99) featuring newly restored illustrations.

The result is a book whose color is much richer and more vibrant than in editions published over the past 70 years. Gramatky, who was called one of the "20 all-time great American watercolorists" by Andrew Wyeth, believed strongly that illustrations were the key to a successful children's book. And young readers never fail to be enthralled by Gramatky's illustrations in "Little Toot," showing how the stalwart tugboat rides enormous waves in the midst of a wild storm, finally proving his mettle to family and friends. (Ages 4-7.)

A Classic Restored by Roger Zotti

"My dad was just an optimistic guy," Linda Gramatky Smith said. "Just look at his watercolors for proof. He loved vital colors. Even when he got cancer, right to the end he thought he was going to beat it." Linda was speaking of her father, Hardie Gramatky, the author and illustrator of the marvelous children's classic "Little Toot." Linda has restored the book, which has been in print since 1939....

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Do you remember Little Toot?

Little Toot is a classic tale by Hardie Gramatky. The book centers around a little tugboat. If you've never experienced this classic, perhaps now is the time to experience this memorable little book in its newly refurbished, restored state--with even more vivid illustrations.

I remember when I first read Little Toot. My grandmother brought an old, well-loved copy of the book home from her job as a librarian. The book was a hardback copy, but the edges were tattered and discolored with wear. The pages were soft with many page turns. When I saw the book, I knew that the book had been well-used. It was not a book that sat on the shelf.

-- Esther Lombardi

A Children's Classic 'Toots' Back to Bookshelves

Daniel Pinkwater and Scott Simon give a rave review to the restored edition of Little Toot on NPR's weekly news show, Weekend Edition. Click here to read the summary and listen to them discuss and read excerpts from the book.

"New Voyage for Little Toot," by Sally Lodge.

"The project entailed scanning art from three sources: early editions of Little Toot, the author's manuscript and his original watercolors. The original art, [Putnam v.p. and art director Cecilia] Yung says, 'was breathtaking to see. The paint still looks wet and leaps off the page... As we went back and forth with the fragile pieces of art, we realized we were holding a piece of history in our hands. We had to do it justice. And I think we did.'"

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'Toot' sweet: When Hardie Gramatky's children's classic, Little Toot, about a cute, silly tugboat that didn't like to work, was published in 1939, the book was launched (so to speak) at a party aboard a tugboat in New York Harbor. Last week, a harbor cruise aboard a similar tugboat, the Miriam Moran, celebrated the picture book's reissue. It never has gone out of print, but Hardie's daughter, Linda Gramatky Smith, noticed in various editions that her father's vibrant red and blue watercolors had faded to "insipid oranges and grays over years of printings." She persuaded the publisher, Putnam, to release a "restored classic edition." Hardie died in 1979 at 72. Little Toot remains popular, Smith said during the cruise, "because it's really a coming-of-age story. It appeals to any kid who's ever been teased." (Life section, page 1.)

NY Party for Children’s Classic by Westport Author is a Toot

When it was first published in 1939, the classic children’s book “Little Toot” about the adventures of a New York City tugboat by Westport artist and illustrator Hardie Gramatky had a fitting launch—aboard a New York City tugboat.

On Sept. 6, a new “restored classic version” of “Little Toot” was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons and last week the event was fittingly celebrated with another party aboard a New York City tugboat...

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Images:

• Tug party marks relaunch of Little Toot
• Flashback: Little Toot launched in 1939 with tugboat ride

Hardie Gramatky's 1939 classic about a spunky tugboat who overcomes his fear of the open sea is back in this restored edition of Little Toot. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Gramatky's birth, this edition uses the artist's original artwork and first editions to restore his watercolors to their original lushness. Previously unpublished sketches round out this finely crafted edition. (Putnam, $17.99 104p ages 4-up ISBN 978-0-399-24713-2; Sept.)

Classic Little Tugboat Makes Waves Again

WESTPORT, Conn. (Wireless Flash) August 30, 2007 -- A lovable little tugboat is dusting off his steam engine and chuggin' full speed ahead towards a colorful comeback.

That's the idea behind the release of the restored edition of "Little Toot" (Putnam) -- a beloved children's book originally published in 1939 -- which hits shelves with brighter, more vibrant watercolor illustrations this September.

The book has seen tremendous success -- never being out of print, and selling more than seven million copies -- and late author Hardie Gramatky's daughter, Linda Gramatky Smith, hopes its re-release, which marks her dad's 100th birthday, will attract a new generation who'll relate to the playful tugboat.

Says Gramatky Smith: "Little Toot deals with all the emotions that a real kid does. He gets embarrassed and teased by other boats, struggles to please his dad, and would rather be creative and play than work all day. It's every kid's childhood, but in the water!"

And Gramatky Smith knows all about relating to Little Toot, since she grew up with him.

She explains, "My dad never pushed me to like his book, but I loved it anyway. I always felt like Little Toot's little sister, since I was energetic, but not quite as mischievous as Little Toot!"

-- Monica Sotomayor, Senior Editor

"Typical of the reviews he received, one observed that 'though color and light and mood are the most evident aspects of Gramatky's pictures, much of their convincing reality is achieved by drawing that is solid, full-bodied...'"

I was 7 or 8 years old when I met Hardie Gramatky. He lived at the top of the Roseville Road hill where I rode my Schwinn bicycle in Westport, Connecticut. I think I must have first met him at the Westport Book Fair where he came year after year to sign his books. But, what impressed me as a little boy was that I immediately felt that I could stop by his home any time, which my brother and I did on our bicycles. He would always take an interest in what we were doing and spend time talking with us. On Halloween night in 1977, I knocked on his door dressed as R2D2, a costume I had spent hours building myself. I still remember being invited into his home and the look of amazement on his face as he commended me on the "engineering" involved in its construction. He made me feel special.

However, the most special thing to me about him is that he would draw for us. I think that for an artist and author of children's books it is the best gift he could have given us as children. Not just the artwork, but the time spent with us talking as he worked. There was something magical about Little Toot, the real Little Toot, appearing on his easel in front of me. And, there was something magical to me about the man that made it happen. My brother has a framed watercolor of Little Toot hanging in the stairwell of his house, outside his son's room. "To my good friend Scott" is inscribed on it. That's how I'll always remember him.

Perhaps the hardest memory I have of him is the day I rode my bicycle past his house and saw him being helped out of the car by his wife and someone else. He was visibly weak and thin. I had heard that he was sick and felt afraid of what I saw. I still regret not having stopped and greeted him. He died soon after and I didn't really understand, only that I missed being able to go visit him.

Certain things about childhood remind us of the innocence we long for, especially now since September 11, 2001. Something about this man and the too brief, but very precious memories I have of him takes me there. I just now read about his accomplishments and learned all kinds of things about him that I never knew. But, to my brother and me he will always be more than Little Toot's author and an illustrator of great achievement. He was our friend. I am thankful I had the chance to know Hardie Gramatky. I am only sorry our time was so short.