Water Goes Gurgle
A Tale of Opposites
at the MidAmerican adventure Tower
Along the banks of the Missouri River, water goes gurgle, burble, gurgle.
Creatures from NEAR and FAR depend on the river.
NEAR and FAR are opposites.
Tap on QUIZ to learn more.
QUIZ
Be a detective
Some animals live nearby in the river habitat. Some animals pass through from far away on their migration routes. Even if you don’t see the animals themselves, they often leave behind footprints (tracks).
Be a detective and discover the creatures using our area by identifying animal tracks. Keep reading to find the answers.
FAST vs. SLOW
Look for frogs hopping FAST.
Can you hop FAST like frog?
Great! Can you show how S-L-O-W a turtle walks?
Look for turtles walking SLOW along the river.
BIG VS. SMALL
Look for a BIG deer nibbling on the grass.
Look for SMALL butterflies sipping nectar along the river.
Do you know how a butterfly sips nectar?
Click the link on the left to learn more.
LEARN
How do Hackberry emperor butterflies sip?
A butterfly’s proboscis (pronounced prow·baa·suhs) is a long, tube-like mouthpart that it uses to sip nectar from flowers. It’s like a straw!
The next time you use a straw in your cup or juice box, pretend you are a butterfly drinking nectar from a flower!
HOT vs. COLD
Look for snakes basking in the HOT summer sun.
Can you move like a snake?
Look for rabbits hopping in the COLD winter snow along the river.
UP VS. DOWN
Look UP to see birds flying in the sky.
You may see pelicans, eagles, robins, sparrows, owls, cardinals and more!
Look DOWN to see squirrels gathering food along the river.
What kind of food do you think squirrels will find in the park?
Will the food be DOWN on the ground or UP in a tree?
WATCH + SING
Watch and sing
Watch and sing the “opposites song” with your friends from the Council Bluffs Public Library.
Conclusion
Up and down, near and far, big and small, fast and slow, and when it’s hot or cold, we all live together along the river.
All because water goes gurgle.
What are some other opposites you found in the park?
KEEP READING
Check out these books.
Big Bear Little Chair by Lizi Boyd
Stop, Go, Yes, No! A Story of Opposites by Mike Twohy
Near and Far: A Sesame Street Guessing Game by Marie-Therese Miller
Visit the Council Bluffs Public Library for more information and reading ideas.
Thank you to our partners.
Author: Council Bluffs Public Library
Illustrator: Lynn Stoller
Published: 2025
ANSWERS
Chapter one’s “Be a detective” animal tracks quiz above:
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Raccoon
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Deer
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Goose
You are here. But keep seeking to learn and read more.
Location
Water Goes Gurgle
Learn about things that are near and far, fast and slow, big and small, hot and cold, and up and down, and how the Missouri River connects them all!