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News,  Arts and Leisure

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

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.
The tugboat Gramma Lee. T. Moran does figure eights in New York Harbor last week to celebrate the relaunch of “Little Toot.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kitty Lyons for WestportNow.com

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.

“It was Ken’s idea,” said Westporter Linda Gramatky Smith, Hardie Gramatky’s daughter, of her husband, Kendall Smith. “Happily the Moran Towing executives enthusiastically said yes.”

Over the 68 years since it was first published, the colors in “Little Toot” had changed from Gramatky’s vibrant reds and blues to faded oranges and grays, she said, prompting publication of the restored version.

The new edition of this coming-of-age children’s book that the Library of Congress named one of the all-time classics in children’s literature includes end papers that have not been seen for 40 years.
The new edition of “Little Toot” includes more vibrant colors. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The original art work now in the New York Public Library was rescanned and some new full-color sketches added from Gramatky’s manuscript. 

“The result is like having a brand new first edition of ‘Little Toot’ in a child’s hands,” said Gramatky Smith, who worked with Putnam’s to restore the book and has been busy promoting its relaunch.

She has already spoken at schools and bookstores in Massachusetts and California, and made a Connecticut television appearance. In March and April, the Westport Public Library hosted an exhibit of original illustrations from the book.
Westporters Kendall Smith and Linda Gramatky Smith celebrated aboard the Miriam Moran. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kitty Lyons for WestportNow.com

The creative luminaries aboard a Moran tugboat in New York Harbor in October 1939 for the first christening party of the book included marine artist Gordon Grant, famous New York librarian Anne Carroll Moore, Hardie Gramatky, Eugene Moran, Sr., journalist/author Christopher Morley and watercolorist Reginald Marsh.

Last week’s party was held aboard the Miriam Moran while a second Moran tugboat, the Gramma Lee T. Moran, delighted the crowd on board with antics that are familiar to readers of “Little Toot"-- doing figure eights, shooting streams of water, blowing black smoke balls and blasting its horn at the other tugboat.

The three-hour tugboat ride hosted a special group of reporters and librarians, including Westport’s own “Miss Kitty” Lyons, head of the Children’s Department. 

Comments:     Comment Policy

Great story! It’s good to see one of my favorite books come to life. I can’t believe it’s been around for so long. If anyone is interested in seeing more of the author’s work, you’ve got to check out the website at http://www.gramatky.com/. I’ll probably even order a print from them for my daughter’s room. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Congratulations to all involved...from an old friend and fan!  Wish I had been aboard.

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