The Christmas Tugboat

This was a book that has become a favorite of mine. It tells the story of a little girl whose dad is a New York harbor tugboat captain. Every year she goes on a special trip with her family up the Hudson River to get the Christmas tree for Rockefeller Center in New York City. The story explains how she helps her dad start the engine and does chores around the tugboat. It includes facts about tugboats and how fast- or should I say slow- they go. She explains what she sees as they go on their special trip together. They arrive at Stony Point where they pick up the massive tree, the huge ornaments, and the decorations that go back to New York City. Once they dock for the night, her mom sings her the barge song and in the morning when she awakes they are already headed back to the city. As they get closer, they receive police escort and there are crowds on boats watching and waving to them. Her dad even lets her take over the wheel and steer for a little! When they finally dock, a man gives her a pine cone from the tree as a souvenir. She plans on one day planting the seeds and then she too will have her own New York City Christmas tree in her backyard.

Having experienced Christmas in New York City, I would have so much to share with my students. I would want to tell them of my own experience and how I went with my parents, my sister, and my grandpa. I would bring pictures for my students to be able to look at of me right by the huge Christmas tree. This story is an unique story to read as it gets closer to Christmas time. It does not really focus so much on the holiday but more on the preparations and what it is like to be on a tugboat. For diversity, I would want to discuss other different holidays that are celebrated around Christmas time as well. For an activity, I would want my students to write a story about how they prepare for a holiday. They could also do research on tug boats and other means of transportation. Also, I could tie in a lesson about New York City and Rockefeller Center. I could show them the news and make it a very real life lesson for them. This book really came close to my heart and I definitely want to use it in my classroom one day. 

The Christmas Tugboat

Author: George Matteson & Adele Ursone

Illustrations: James E. Ransome

Year Published: 2012