“My heart dreams tugboat dreams,” declares the lovable goat at the center of this upbeat picture book. Having “studied engines, bumpers, and tow lines” from her herd’s bayside hill, tugboat aficionado Cordelia admires the watercraft for the way they’re always ready to help others. Despite the mockery of a narrow-minded peer, the self-described “tuggoat” relishes her ability to signal and assist just like any tug. A chance to help arrives when the bullying peer gets stuck in mud, and a dramatic rescue ensues, described with breathless onomatopoeic narration from Hamilton (“She bounced to a rock./ Then ‘Wooog, wooog, wooog,’ she backed along a log”). Though the rescuee remains closed-minded, Cordelia and porcine friend Pog take away an optimistic message, making for a triumphant effect. Soft coloring infuses Tsai’s unlined barnyard scenes with a luminous quality that suits Cordelia’s bright dreams and gentle personality. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 3— Cordelia is a goat with a "heart dream" of being a tugboat. She loves everything about them, especially the way they are always there to help. Pog the pig is her best friend who helps make her Tuggoat dream come true. Hyacinth is the goat who doesn't want to hear any nonsense about Tuggoats and makes her opinion known to Cordelia and Pog, loudly and often. Cordelia has been practicing her signal horn sounds for hours when Pog shows her the bumper and towline (fallen tire swing) he found for her. With her new equipment, the new Tuggoat zooms around the farm, towing Pog who's on a burlap sack tied to the towline. They nearly run over Hyacinth who declares the whole thing ludicrous. Undeterred, the pair prepare to zoom down the hay mound when they hear calls for help from none other than Hyacinth. Stuck in a bog and sinking, Hyacinth grudgingly allows Tuggoat to help—and save the day. There is more in Tsai's crisp, uncluttered, and lighthearted illustrations—an excellent match for Hamilton's plentiful text; together they create the perfect ending. The animals display a range of easy-to-read expressions and emotions, making the story suitable for emerging readers. VERDICT An affirming tale of being true to your dreams and the power of friendship in making those dreams come true. It's never too early to learn that haters gonna hate.— Catherine Callegari