Longing to fulfill his dream of becoming a voyageur, Jean Pierre Petite Le Rouge stows away in one of the
canoes traveling from Montreal to a faraway trading post. He’s so excited, he can’t stay hidden long and soon
finds himself perched on the bow of the canoe, whiskers to the wind, singing his heart out.
The voyageurs are not amused to find a pesky red squirrel among their crew. He rides, but does not paddle!
He eats, but does not cook! On the portages, he doesn’t carry anything—sometimes it is he who is carried! And
he’s a terrible singer. What kind of voyageur is that? Fortunately, his kind crewmate Jean Gentille takes pity on
him and lets “Le Rouge” ride in his vest pocket.
But when they finally arrive at the trading post, Jean Pierre Petite Le Rouge is in for a terrible shock—the
voyageurs have traveled 1,200 miles to collect what? Furs! Skins! The pelts of his fellow fur-bearers! Heartsick,
he believes he will have to give up his dream of becoming a voyageur. Unless, of course, he can find a way to
change their minds.
