SMALLMOUTH SONNYOF BASS ISLAND BAR

written by

William Schroederillustrated by

James Billiter

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Saving a Na tiona l Treasure s inc e 1967

this book is especially for:

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SMALLMOUTH

SONNYOF BASS ISLAND BAR

written by

William Schroederillustrated by

James Billiter

Meet the Author and Illustrator and Thanks to All Who HelpedAuthor, Bill Schroeder grew up in the Cincinnati area enjoying the Little Miami River and its diversity of fish and wildlife for more than 60 years. A 1964 graduate of the University of Cincinnati and 1968 graduate of Salmon P. Chase Law School, he is a practicing attorney living in Warren County, Ohio, two miles from his beloved Little Miami River. After 18 years on the Warren County Park Board, Bill became a Trustee of the Little Miami Conservancy where he continues conservation and preservation work in the Little Miami River watershed. His work on this book is given in hope it will help children learn, love and support the LMR, its values, and challenges, at an early age.

Illustrator, James Billiter also grew up in Cincinnati, enjoys and lives near the Little Miami River, where he has been inspired by its critters and creatures to create art prints. James studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program. A Senior Designer for global branding agency LPK in Cincinnati, James began working with the Little Miami Conservancy on image and rebranding in 2014.

Bill and James worked on this storybook together, with Little Miami Conservancy Executive Director, Eric Par-tee. Thanks to them and to others who made substan-tial contributions to editing and story writing, including LMC Trustees, Greg Schrand, Kelly Riccetti, and Dianna Zimmerman. Thanks to Steve Coomer,

LMC Naturalist and author of Steve Coomer’s Little Miami River, who suggested the story concept of a little lost fish swept downstream, and helped select Sonny’s friends and story characters. Thanks for honest criticism, suggestions, editing and proof reading by Linda Partee, Jane Kors, Ella, Lauren and Will Sommers, Ethan, Keira, Reilly and Emily Boyle, Betsy Lund, Andy, Haakon and Dory Schroeder, Kathy Schroeder, Beth Gully, and Bill Lindauer.

Special thanks to the Little Miami Conservancy, whose pas-sionate stewardship in the LMR watershed, and enthusiastic support of this project made it possible; to donors, subscribers and character adopters listed in the Appendix; and especially to the Oxley Foundation whose gift in support LMC’s educational works made this one possible.

SMALLMOUTH

SONNYOF BASS ISLAND BAR

written by

William Schroederillustrated by

James Billiter

Meet SMALLMOUTH SONNY OF BASS ISLAND BAR…

He’s a real good swimmer, fast and sleek, who can swim in the river and far up creeks.He can jump, dive and dash; wiggle, and thrash. None can catch him ‘cause he is way too fast!

But not long ago one stormy, spring day He was SMALL FRY SONNY who lost his way!

The river ran fast and strong that day. And SMALL FRY SONNY was carried away.He tried to swim but there was really NO WAY!

When SMALL FRY SONNY finally came to a stop,He saw KAREN and AARON,

The river ran fast and strong that day. And SMALL FRY SONNY was carried away.He tried to swim but there was really NO WAY!

Herons eat fish, bugs and wild critters That live in the waters of nice clean rivers.

With long sharp beaks they catch crayfish or snakes, In the blink of an eye for goodness sakes!

When AARON THE HERON saw SMALL FRY SONNY he squawked to KAREN;

“I can catch this little fish somehow,And I’m ready to do it right about now!”

Then there was a LOUD NOSE!“KRAAAAAAAK!” Said KAREN; in a very loud

“Hey Aaron, stop stalking that poor little fish!That is SMALL FRY SONNY from Bass Island Bar.“I think we should help him find his way home, So he need not swim there all alone.”

Aaron replied:“Alright, KAREN, if that is your wish, We can do something nice for this little lost fish.”

“Let’s take SONNY to meet BEAVER BOB, Who has built a nice lodge and done a fine job.There, SONNY can rest and learn how far, He needs to swim home to BASS ISLAND BAR.”

SMALL FRY SONNY liked BEAVER BOB.So he stayed awhile at his fine beaver lodge,Wondering how far he needed to swim To get back home to Bass Island Bar.

BEAVER BOB suggested …SMALL FRY SONNY swim upstream To find CRAYFISH RAY it would seemWould know the way and just how far He needed to swim back to BASS ISLAND BAR.

CRAYFISH RAY was cheerful and kind,And already knew what was on Sonny’s mind;How to get back to BASS ISLAND BAR,way upstream and still quite far.

So RAY taught SONNY, all he knows about swimming backwards wherever he goes.

Do you think swimming backwards could help SMALL FRY SONNY get back home?

Naaaaaaah. But it might be FUN!

Myrtle can swim while she breathes fresh air. She can climb out of water and see everywhere.

Then SMALL FRY SONNY swam upstream to meet MYRTLE THE TURTLE.

She can dive down under to check out the fishes,And watch all the critters wherever she wishes.

Since MYRTLE knows birds can dive into water, She warned SONNY to watch out laterFor birds that fly high, then dive down below Where SONNY was heading and likely would go.

Like KELLY KINGFISHER!

KELLY KINGFISHER is often quite kind,But sometimes she’s hungry with fish on her mind.A skilled bird of prey, she dives into streams To catch fish, frogs or minnows it seems.

OR EVEN A SNAKE FOR GOODNESS SAKE!

KELLY was perched on the branch of a tree, Looking downstream, hungrily.So KAREN and AARON flew toward KELLY, Near her face… right at her belly,As SMALL FRY SONNY swam very fast Beyond KELLY’s view to safety at last!

Then AARON said; “Now we should visit OMAR THE GAR,To help us determine where we are,And about how far back to BASS ISLAND BAR.”

OMAR THE GAR’s from a family of fishThat can breathe air or water, whenever they wish.With his nose pointing up, he can breathe air at will, While in deep water use only his gills.

OMAR replied… “Near Horseshoe Bend, not so far from BASS ISLAND BAR. Two more miles and you come to the endOf a long straight stretch near a big wide bend.And there you are… BASS ISLAND BAR.”

The sun was setting. It would be dark soon…

KAREN asked, “Hey OMAR, can you tell us where we are?”

But the bright full moon soon lit up the way For SMALL FRY SONNY to make good headway.As he moved upstream he continued to swim, But then noticed stones moving all around him.

KAREN and AARON flew down for a closer look.

KAREN said: “Why that’s RUSSEL THE MUSSEL, cleaner of rivers and brooks!”

But the bright full moon soon lit up the way For SMALL FRY SONNY to make good headway.As he moved upstream he continued to swim, But then noticed stones moving all around him.

RUSSEL THE MUSSEL spoke up“Though some believe we are stones it would seem,We mussels are key to the health of all streams.

We take from the water the food that we need, Then return it to streams much cleaner indeed.”

There was ARTHUR THE DARTER,Who loves fast water.Hides behind rocks,From OLGA THE OTTER

WINSTON THE SCULPIN, a very small fishThat darted and swam wherever he wished.

CHUCK THE BUCK, a handsome deerWhose antlers stand up as tall as his ears.

HELGA THE HELGRAMMITE … An ugly bug no one would hug,To our delight soon takes flight;(as a beautiful DOBSON FLY).

JAKE THE SNAKE, who curls in the sun,To warm up his body ready for fun.

FANNY THE FOX, quiet and shy, Tip-toes around cunning and sly;

ERIC THE EAGLE handsome and tall,Surely he is most regal of all.

He was so happy he jumped in the air,Then swam back and forth looking everywhere, As one-by-one they came into sight;All of his friends he had dreamed of last night.

Next morning, SONNY heard the sounds of BASS ISLAND BAR.He knew right away it was not very far.

He was no longer “SMALL FRY SONNY,”No longer a fish, so helpless and funny.With help from his friends he had journeyed quite farTo become….SMALLMOUTH SONNY OF BASS ISLAND BAR.

There was no other fish on par,With SMALLMOUTH SONNY OF BASS ISLAND BAR.

About LMC

Saving a Na tiona l Treasure s inc e 1967

GLOSSARY

Many who have visited the Little Mi-ami River and perhaps paddled a sec-tion, fished, waded or swam in it may be somewhat familiar its riverbanks, the watershed, and the plants, animals and critters encountered there. But beneath the surface is quite another story. Most folks know a lot less about the abun-dant aquatic life and many creatures that live in there and make up the world beneath the surface. Did you know that every one of Sonny’s friends and all the characters mentioned are based on real living creatures that are found living in or around the Little Miami River? Below are just a few of that you may find when you go there.

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

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