The Tree That Stood By The River
at the DOG PARK
This is the tree that stood by the river.
Eastern Cottonwood trees are native to Iowa and grow naturally near water.
This is the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
What colors do you see on a goldfinch?
This is the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
Twirl around like cottonwood fluff in the wind.
This is the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
LEARN MORE
Learn the names of these grasses
Left to Right: Big blue stem, tufted hair grass, Virginia wild rye, switch grass
This is the bison who ate the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour. How fast can you run?
This is the poop that came out of the bison
who ate the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
LEARN MORE
Bison poop is commonly called buffalo chips or meadow muffins.
A single buffalo chip can be a home for up to 300 different kinds of insects. Luckily for the box turtles, bats, and many birds, more insects means more food for them to eat.
This is the seedling that sprouted from the seed
that was in the poop
that came out of the bison
who ate the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
ACTIVITY
Pretend you are a seed in a meadow muffin.
Grow up toward the sun like a baby cottonwood tree.
This is the tree that grew from the seedling
that sprouted from the seed
that was in the poop
that came out of the bison
who ate the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
This is the child who plays with their dog under the tree
that grew from the seedling
that sprouted from the seed
that was in the poop
that came out of the bison
who ate the grass
that caught the seed
that was dropped by the bird
who grabbed the fluff
that grew on the tree
that stood by the river.
WATCH & SING
Watch and sing “My Dog Rags” with your friends from the Council Bluffs Public Library.
Thank you to our partners.
Information for this story was provided by Council Bluffs Public Library
Author: Council Bluffs Public Library
Illustrator: Matt Bailey
Published: 2025
Be there to see it. Be there to read it.
Location
The Tree That Stood By The River
Enjoy the whimsical story of a cottonwood tree on the banks of the Missouri River told through rhyming text reminiscent of "The House That Jack Built."