Now available: Picture book about caring for the river by ESI Youth Council
"Little Mouse, Big River" follows an adventurous mouse from storm drain to river to community cleanup. (Image by Kimberly Boustead)
A children's book written by FMR's 2025-26 Environmental Stewardship Institute Youth Council, "Little Mouse, Big River," follows the journey of a mouse through a city storm drain down to the Mississippi River. Along the way, he discovers the river isn’t as clean as he thought, and that pollution is hurting other critters, so he and his new friends take action to clean up the Mississippi.
Young readers will be able to see the connection between their neighborhood streets and the mighty river that winds through the Twin Cities. They'll also get a few ideas about how they too can help the river.
In lively illustrations by local artist and friend of the river Kimberly Boustead, readers can spot beloved native Minnesota plants and animals, as well as metro Mississippi River scenes like the Stone Arch Bridge and the gorge's sandstone bluffs.
Order a print copy at cost
Use the form below to order a print copy at cost from Mixam, a print-on-demand publisher. Orders can take about three weeks to arrive.
Making environmental education resources accessible
In addition to this children's book, educators can download our water quality curriculum for free.
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Written by Environmental Stewardship Institute youth
The 2025-26 Environmental Stewardship Institute Youth Council wanted to focus on educating people about urban storm drains and the river, as many don’t understand the direct connection between them.
Artist Kimberly Boustead held several storyboarding workshops with the council. Council members enjoyed playing an active role in the book’s design, especially the character design, and collaborating on the writing. The council will share the book in partnership with our grade-school education program this year.
"We hope the book will inspire young readers to take action to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution," says Naomi Nickel, Environmental Stewardship Institute Program Associate.
More ways to help the river
At the end of the book, the Environmental Stewardship Institute Youth Council offers tips on keeping pollution out of storm drains — and out of our lakes and rivers. But there are plenty more ways to get involved and care for the Mississippi River.
From restoring native habitat to participating in community science, you can make a difference for the Mississippi River.
Thanks to partners and funders
Thank you to Mississippi Watershed Management Organization for funding this project.
And thanks to our 2026 Environmental Stewardship Institute funders: 3M Foundation, Beim Foundation, Berglund Foundation, Cargill Foundation, George Family Foundation, HB Fuller, Langwater Foundation, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Musser Fund, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Right Track, Step Up, St. Paul Jaycees Foundation, Trillium Family Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, WM Foundation.