BOOK DESCRIPTION: OLLIE SMALLIE MEETS THE GOODBYE GIRLS

When the Great River (the Upper St. Lawrence River) experiences changes in the seasons, so do all the creatures who call her home.

This particular fall, Shirley, an American eel, is more sensitive to the changes in water temperature. Not only has her body changed colour, her eyes enlarged, she is also neglecting her old friends.

Rita, an elver (juvenile) American eel, is very worried about Shirley’s changing moods and behaviours. Rita shares her concerns with her best friend Ollie, a juvenile small mouth bass. Ollie mentions that the water is getting cold and he has been feeling weird lately too.

Ollie and Rita ask Walter the wise, a channel catfish, about what is going on.

Walter of course has the answer but it is complicated and upsetting to Ollie and Rita.

Ollie needs to help Rita find a way to understand and accept what is happening to Shirley even if it means saying goodbye.