Houghton Mifflin Children's Books Mike Mulligan and HisSteam Shovel Celebrates its 60th Anniversary! Since it was first published in 1939, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has delighted generations of children. Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers. But with progress ...