For two whole years, ten year old Frederick Cottonmouth had gone to the river by his little house. Then, one day, the unexpected happens. His life changed when he discovers a very mysterious black egg. What is it? Where does it come from?

When little Freddie seeks the answer to his questions, he finds out that interesting adventures can happen if he makes and keeps a promise? Can Freddie do that? What will happen if he makes the wrong choice?

With his background as a creative artist and as a Pastor at Reality LA in Los Angeles, Casey (C.S.) Fritz, the author and illustrator of COTTONMOUTH AND THE RIVER has presented a very unique children's book that will be a delight both for children and to the adults that may be reading the story to them.

COTTONMOUTH AND THE RIVER is Book One in a planned series, with Cottonmouth and the Great Gift due out later this year. While no age level is described, I would suggest it would be more suitable for children aged eight and up. The story is very imaginative and the drawings are engaging. Several of the drawings, along with a trailer on the story, can be viewed on Fritz's website at www.csfritz.com. Many of the pages are drawn illustrations without text leaving it up to the child's imagination or for older readers to ask questions to young children about what Freddie might be feeling.

The story is inclusive for children of any background and is full of strange adventurous happenings with an underlying message of risk, yearnings, mistakes made, and redemption. COTTONMOUTH AND THE RIVER has the potential to be that classic and well-worn book that kids want to read time and time again.