The River and I

A young boy’s awe of the mighty Missouri River sets the stage for a vivid coming‑of‑age adventure. From a bluff in Kansas City, the narrator recalls his father’s steady hand and calm advice as the floodwaters roar, turning the river into both a terrifying beast and a daring companion. The prose paints the water as an epic force, its currents echoing the wild beauty of mountains, plains, and storm‑tossed skies, while the boy’s imagination swells with dreams of mastery and exploration.

The early summer journey follows his first real test of courage: learning to navigate the swollen, yellow‑streaked channel and witnessing a small town’s upheaval under the river’s relentless surge. Along the way, colorful illustrations capture dramatic rapids, frozen gorges, and the bustling river towns that dot the Upper Missouri. Listeners are invited to feel the rush of the water, the crackle of pine‑laden winds, and the timeless pull of a river that becomes a lifelong mentor.