A New World version of a classic story set in a New England coastal estuary in the 1920s.

This is a story about the denizens of a very special river. For like their relatives on the other side of the ocean, this river had its own rat, mole, badger, otter, and weasel clans.

When a spooky nocturnal creature starts terrorizing the riverfront, Mr. Rat’s clever daughter sets to work solving the mystery and unmasking the culprit. But that is only the beginning of the intrigue and adventure that happened one eventful summer.

This lyrically crafted book features a mysterious Native American prophecy, a suspected sea monster, a scavenger hunt with a surprising twist, persnickety weasels, a mysterious clue etched on a piece of birch bark, some hilarious high jinks by Mr. Toad’s son, a chatterbox bobolink, a devastating hurricane, a heroic rescue, a liberal sprinkling of gentle humor, nautical adventures in wooden boats, some historical fiction, an unusual square dance with fireflies, a campfire on the beach at night watching shooting stars, and an outrageously conceited poem by Mr. Toad.

This story is set almost a century ago against the rural backdrop of coastal New England. All the natural history and science in this book is accurate and will inspire listeners to learn more. Most of the locations, boat names, and historical events are accurate for the times.