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About the Book
The Bandalong Bandit: A Stream Team Mystery follows Detective Brooke and Bandit as they uncover how everyday litter travels from neighborhoods to creeks, then to rivers and lakes. Page by page, they show simple, practical steps families and schools can take to protect local waterways—and how community tools like litter traps and booms make a difference.
Ideal for: Grades 1–5 • Classroom read-alouds • STEM & environmental units • Community outreach events
Themes: Watershed literacy, storm drains & “first flush,” aquatic wildlife, stewardship, community problem-solving
Detective Brooke
(River Otter)
Species: River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
Role: Stream Team Lead Investigator
Personality: Observant, patient, and thoughtful
Favorite Tool: Magnifying glass and notebook
Detective Brooke is a wise and curious river otter who studies every clue that floats downstream. She believes every piece of litter tells a story and uses her detective skills to trace it back to its source—teaching others how small actions upstream can protect the environment downstream. Calm, clever, and always learning, Brooke reminds us that solving the mystery of pollution starts with awareness and care.
Brooke’s motto is simple: “Clean creeks start with clean streets.”
Her character embodies environmental curiosity, empathy for nature, and the belief that small, thoughtful actions add up to lasting change.
Fun Facts:
- Brooke’s name comes from the word brook, meaning a small stream.
- She often sketches her findings in a waterproof field notebook.
- Her favorite snack? Crawfish tacos—always eaten far from the shoreline to prevent crumbs from blowing into the water.
Bandit
Species: Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Role: Creekside Investigator & Cleanup Crew Leader
Personality: Curious, energetic, and brave
Favorite Tool: Grabber stick and a good pair of gloves
Bandit is a lively raccoon with a knack for finding (and removing) trouble in the water. Always eager to help, he dives into cleanups with enthusiasm—turning each piece of trash into a clue about where it came from. Bold and hands-on, Bandit inspires kids to take action and reminds everyone that protecting our waterways starts with rolling up your sleeves and caring for the creek.
Brooke’s motto is simple: “Clean creeks start with clean streets.”
Her character embodies environmental curiosity, empathy for nature, and the belief that small, thoughtful actions add up to lasting change.
Fun Facts:
- His “mask” and love of shiny things earned him the name Bandit.
- He once turned a discarded bottle into a bird feeder.
- He keeps a “Treasure Jar” of cleaned, recycled finds.
Meet the Real Bandit
The Bandalong Bandit is the real-life version of our story’s cleanup hero. Designed for small waterways like creeks, streams, and tributaries 25 feet wide or less, this compact litter trap captures floating debris before it can travel downstream. Just like Bandit the raccoon, it’s hardworking, reliable, and always on the lookout for trash trying to escape. Easy to install and maintain, the Bandalong Bandit™ provides a long-term, eco-friendly way to keep waterways clean—protecting local wildlife and ensuring that every drop flows freely toward a healthier future.
Key Features:
- Captures floating litter before it reaches rivers or lakes
- Ideal for narrow creeks, streams, and storm channels
- Wildlife-friendly—doesn’t block fish or natural flow
- Built to last using durable, field-tested materials
- Designed for easy maintenance
*Specification sheet is available upon request.
