Captain Bear and his crew of animals take cargo up and down the sparkling river on board their sturdy canalboat 'The Marie Grace.' Author and award winning Illustrator, P.G.Rob, learned of the mode of transport of early barges on Europe's canals whilst sailing along them with her sea captain husband -Jean-Claude. And so the series was 'born' and the Marie Grace is pulled along by brother and sister Carthorses-Emil and Elodie. In this first adventure , Captain Bear receives a letter from the Postmouse with a request for the Marie Grace to take Musical Cargo-the Pond -Willowing Band who ,along with their leader Andover Fox , want to attend the Bough-Willowing Music Festival up river. However, an adventure intervenes with the arrival of little Michel Marmot. Michel has some worrying news -the Festival goods have been carried away by the weasal gang to their castle hideout. 'This won't do!' harrumphs Captain Bear and a plan is hatched to rescue the goods and the Festival. A delightful first story in the Adventures of Captain Bear and Crew. A Christmas story for next year and French and German translations available. E book editions available through IngramSpark.