Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below
What if the most important river in Florida was one you could never see?
Deep beneath the springs, lakes, and wetlands of Central Florida flows a hidden river of clean, life-giving water. Little Ollie the Otter loves exploring these waters with his friends Millie the Manatee, Tuck the Turtle, Benny the Bass, and Wren the Snowy Egret. But when Ollie learns that pollution could threaten the underground River Below, he sets out on a journey to understand why clean water matters—and how even the smallest voices can help protect it.
Filled with lovable wildlife characters, stunning natural settings, and a powerful message about environmental stewardship, Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below introduces young readers to the wonder of Florida’s springs and the importance of caring for the world around them.
Perfect for ages 5–10, this beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates curiosity, community, science, and the idea that when we work together, we can protect the places we call home.
A heartwarming story about clean water, connected communities, and hope for future generations.
Look Inside!
Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below is a heartwarming environmental adventure set in the springs, lakes, and wetlands of Central Florida. Curious young Ollie the otter loves exploring the crystal-clear waters near Lake Panasoffkee with his friends Millie the manatee, Tuck the turtle, Benny the bass, and Wren the snowy egret. But when Ollie notices growing piles of trash at a nearby landfill, he learns about the hidden River Below—the Floridan Aquifer—and the important role it plays in providing clean water for people, wildlife, rivers, lakes, and springs.
As the animals discover the risks that pollution and landfill leachate could pose to their interconnected water system, Ollie begins a journey to understand how water travels beneath the earth and why protecting it matters. Along the way, he explores marshes, wetlands, fishing docks, and springs, discovering that every living thing depends on clean water.
Determined to help, Ollie and his friends share their message across the wetlands. Soon, children, families, neighbors, and scientists come together to learn about the hidden connections beneath their feet and the importance of protecting Florida’s precious water resources. Through teamwork, curiosity, and courage, Ollie discovers that even the smallest voice can inspire change.
Filled with beautiful Florida wildlife, gentle environmental lessons, and a message of stewardship and hope, Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below reminds readers that everything is connected—and that protecting clean water today helps safeguard future generations tomorrow.
Recommended for ages 4–12. A story about nature, community, science, and the power of caring for the world we share.
Ready to Activate Your Elevated Gifts?
Do you know you have more to offer yet fear how your ideas will be accepted or how your message will be received? Are you showing up to work and life in your authentic skin without fear? We create a world of perfect outcomes in order to be acknowledged, valued and rewarded. Yet the need to be authentic hits our very core. It’s time to identify, value and unleash your elevated gifts. It’s time to be the true you.
In this transformational non-fiction book Angie identifies the many mindset, belief, culture and behavior limitations that impact how we show up authentically in the workplace. She is an advocate to increase awareness, acknowledgement, activation and appreciation of our other elevated gifts that bring value to culture and business. Offering a method to identify, activate and integrate these gifts. This paradigm shift will change our future innovation, interaction, relationships and development focus areas.
Bonuses:
Future Self Journey
Meet your future self guided journey is a fantastic way to align in with who you want to be.
ActIvation Workbook
Use this workbook with your 'Make The Shift' sections of the book as you do the inner work.
Chakra Clearing guided meditation
This 8+min guided meditation will aid in clearing your Chakras to get your energy flowing.
About the Author
Angie McCourt is an award-winning author, retired technology professional, and small business owner. After a successful career in the tech industry, she followed her passion for writing stories that inspire curiosity, kindness, and learning.
She is the creator of the Bebe's Adventures series and the author of Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below. Through engaging animal characters and meaningful adventures, Angie helps children explore real-world topics in ways they can understand while encouraging a lifelong love of reading.
She lives on a hobby farm, where the animals and natural surroundings continue to inspire her stories.
THis book Series .....
Gentle adventure focused on curiosity and friendship
Supports social‑emotional learning (SEL) skills
Encourages patience, empathy, courage, and problem‑solving
Includes parent/caregiver guides & discussion prompts
Calm, reassuring tone—never frightening or overwhelming
Order from major online retailers
Perfect For
· Families & bedtime reading
· Preschools & early elementary classrooms
· Social‑emotional learning support
· Gifts, libraries, and keepsake collections
Each book includes:
· age‑appropriate, emotionally safe storytelling
· gentle problem‑solving without fear or conflict
· supportive themes aligned with early social‑emotional learning
· a parent/caregiver guide and discussion prompts
A great way to introduce the importance of natural resources to not only us but the wildlife around us.
Available in paperback.
Book Review
"McCourt’s advice extends beyond the corporate world. Her unique approach urges us to recognize the humanity of employees and leaders both; she argues that when all our gifts are at last recognized and activated—revealing us as messengers, “edgewalkers,” transmitters, storytellers, and more—we “truly make a difference with our teams, business, leadership, and effectiveness.”
McCourt’s hope for her readers to become the best versions of themselves shines through these pages. McCourt herself has done the work she suggests to her readers, and she draws persuasively on her knowledge and experience, acknowledging that change takes time and that putting in the work today makes a difference later in overall satisfaction. Her takeaways are highly practical, as she debunks myths and advises readers to partake in original practices and quizzes—and recommends some outside material, too--to help grasp her insights and better know themselves.".......
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Book Talk
How to facilitate A conversation about the learnings in the book
Ollie the Otter and the Hidden River Below
Discussion Questions focused on the following age appropriate categories. Find them at the back of the book.
Ages 4–7
Understanding the Story
Feelings & Empathy
Nature Connection
Ages 8–12
Critical Thinking
Community & Responsibility
Environmental Awareness
Other ideas to explore with your child included in detail in the back of the book.
Water Protector Walk
Draw Your Own Hidden River
Make a “Protect Our Water” Poster
Wildlife Research Activity
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