Skookum Kid's Stories
Today's Children's Story Books are Podcasts! Hosts Dave Graham and Peter McCully bring you "Skookum Kid's Stories", delightful, original stories about a boy named Peter and his pet Eskimo Dog "Gracie" who are always finding an adventure, and Captain Dave of the "Mellow Submarine". He and "Larry the Lobster" find excitement above and below the waterline.
Peter & Gracie: A Rathtrevor Beach Kite Adventure

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Join young Peter and his loyal American Eskimo dog Gracie on an unforgettable adventure to Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. This heartwarming children story about asking for help transforms a disappointing kite disaster into a beautiful lesson about courage, community, and the magic of new friendships. Ranger Johnson demonstrates how adults can guide children with kindness, while Peter shows kids how to find courage in difficult moments.
Perfect for Vancouver Island families, this children story teaches kids that asking for help is actually a superpower while delivering...
The Mellow Submarine: A Three Hour Tour of the SS Minnow

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Join Captain Dave and his enthusiastic first mate Larry the lobster on their most heartwarming underwater adventure yet! This incredible SS Minnow kids story takes young listeners to the beautiful waters of Nanoose Bay, where they discover the real boat from Gilligan's Island.
Perfect for Vancouver Island families, this boat restoration story teaches kids about preservation, friendship, and how dedicated people can save pieces of history while delivering pure storytelling magic that will have children asking for "just one more adventure."
What Makes...
Peter & Gracie: The Deep Bay Marine Station Adventure

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Join 7-year-old Peter and his fluffy white American Eskimo dog Gracie on an incredible kids marine biology Vancouver Island adventure at the renowned Deep Bay Marine Field Station. This captivating children's story transforms young listeners into junior marine biologists through hands-on tide pool exploration that makes science education unforgettable.
What Makes This Children's Story Special
Perfect for Vancouver Island families, this educational adventure teaches kids real marine biology concepts while delivering engaging storytelling that will have children asking for "just one more...
The Mellow Submarine: The Night the Totems Spoke

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Captain Dave and his loyal first mate Larry the lobster embark on a magical adventure to Duncan - known as the "city of totems." Aboard their remarkable mellow submarine that transforms into a yellow bus for land travel, the duo explores the charming seaside village of Cowichan Bay before venturing into Duncan to discover the magnificent totem poles carved by the Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Quw'utsun' people.
As twilight falls and a full moon rises, something extraordinary happens - the ancient totem poles come to life, glowing...
Peter & Gracie: Cleanup Day at Englishman River Park
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Join Peter and his incredible dog Gracie on their environmental adventure at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park! When Gracie's super-sniffer uncovers buried trash that no one else could find, they become the park's official "hidden trash detectives." Peter decides to become a regular "park protector" with Gracie, planning to create their own cleanup club.
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The Mellow Submarine: Saving the Missing Sand Dollars

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The story begins at Miracle Beach Provincial Park, where Captain Dave and his loyal first mate Larry the lobster discover that thousands of sand dollars have mysteriously disappeared from their favorite cove. Determined to solve this mystery, they encounter Harold the heron who suggests consulting with Tabitha, an ancient sea turtle with extensive knowledge of the coastal waters.
Tabitha reveals that a recent underwater earthquake has created a new current that's been pulling the sand dollars into a deep underwater valley. Using the submarine's Current Redirector, Captain Dave...
Peter & Gracie: Where Veggies Grow & Bigfoot Roams!

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Peter and his fluffy white American Eskimo dog, Gracie embark on their first gardening project together. Their adventure begins with a trip to the Meadowood Store, where they meet Steffany Burger, the friendly owner who helps them select starter plants, soil, and fertilizer for their garden. During their visit, Peter discovers the store's famous Bigfoot statue and learns about local legends of the gentle forest creature who supposedly roams the area.
Peter and his Mom prepare a garden patch where they carefully plant tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and...
The Mellow Submarine: The Mystery Ghost Ship of Active Pass

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Join Captain Dave, his talking lobster first mate Larry, and a group of curious children as they embark on an educational sailing adventure through the Gulf Islands. What begins as a simple lesson in navigation through Active Pass turns mysterious when an unusual fog rolls in, revealing a ghostly sailing ship from the 1920s.Â
 Following this phantom vessel, they discover a hidden cove with an abandoned lighthouse containing the logbook of Harold Jenkins, a dedicated lighthouse keeper who disappeared in 1923 while trying to report dangerous, unmarked rocks in th...
Peter & Gracie: The Perfect Soccer Practice Pal

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The Story follows Peter on his first day of soccer practice with his new team, the Riverside Rapids. Nervous about fitting in, Peter brings Gracie as the team mascot, complete with a custom blue and white bandana that matches the team colors. Throughout the practice, Gracie proves to be more than just a pet - she becomes a source of comfort for Peter and helps him make new friends on the team. Her gentle nature helps nervous children feel at ease, and she watches attentively as the team practices.Â
The Mellow Submarine: The Secret of Sunset Sandcastles
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One sunny morning, Captain Dave and his first mate Larry the Lobster sail their yellow submarine to Rathtrevor Beach, where they discover an expansive sandy playground revealed by the low tide. As they explore the beach filled with children building sandcastles, they witness a magical phenomenon at sunset: the sandcastles come alive with tiny sand people led by Queen Sandria.
The sand people face a nightly challenge as the tide washes away their kingdom, forcing them to rebuild each day. Captain Dave and Larry engineer an innovative solution...
Peter and Gracie: Checkup day at the QB Vet Clinic

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Peter becomes a veterinary assistant for his fluffy friend's checkup! The pair visit Dr. Holly at the Qualicum Beach Veterinary Clinic for Gracie's annual checkup. Initially nervous about the visit, Peter makes a promise to himself to be brave for his fluffy white companion. At the clinic, the kind Dr. Holly recognizes Peter's concern and invites him to be her "special assistant," complete with an official badge.Â
Throughout the examination, Dr. Holly educates Peter about pet care, allowing him to listen to Gracie's heartbeat and helping distract her du...
The Mellow Submarine: Secret of the Nanaimo Bar

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Ahoy, young adventurers! Set sail with Captain Dave and Larry the Lobster on their search to discover the sweet secret behind the famous Nanaimo bar!Â
Along the way, they befriend Cocoa the seal, who joins their expedition. The trio meets Old Bill, a seasoned fisherman who shares the legend of a ship's cook named Edward and his baker wife Eleanor, who supposedly created the original "Eleanor's Treasure" that later became known as the Nanaimo bar.Â
Following clues to Pipers Lagoon Park, they discover an old recipe bo...
Peter and Gracie: It’s Chick Day at Buckerfields!

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Peter and his beloved American Eskimo dog, Gracie, embark on a special Saturday adventure to Buckerfields. After weeks of saving his allowance, Peter is finally able to purchase special treats for his fluffy white companion who "wagged her tail so hard that her whole body wiggled like a happy marshmallow."
The adventure becomes even more special when they choose four baby chicks to bring home, with Peter learning about Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks from a kind employee named Dan. Peter integrates the chicks into their family...
The Mellow Submarine: The Great Herring Caper

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In this adventure, Captain Dave and his crew aboard the Mellow Submarine journey to Parksville-Qualicum to witness the annual herring run, a spectacular natural phenomenon where countless silver herring migrate to spawn. Upon arriving, they observe fishing boats using seine nets to catch herring while also marveling at the ecosystem's interconnectedness as seals and seabirds feast on the abundant fish.
Their educational journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover the herring have mysteriously disappeared. Investigating alongside local fisherman Jack, they uncover that a businessman named Mr. Blackcoat...
Peter and Gracie: Making an Earthquake Kit

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After learning about earthquakes at school from his teacher Ms. Rodriguez, Peter becomes concerned about his family's safety and immediately takes action when he gets home. With enthusiasm and determination, Peter enlists his mother's help to create an emergency earthquake kit, making sure to include supplies for every family member—including Gracie.
Peter and Gracie help gather essential items: water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and even comfort items like Gracie's favorite toy. When Peter's father returns home, the family develops a comprehensive emergency pla...
The Mellow Submarine: The Lasqueti Island Cable Caper

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Captain Dave and his crew—including Larry the Lobster, Percy the Pufferfish, Stella the Starfish, the Turtle Twins (Tim and Tom), and Marina the Manatee—embark on an urgent mission. A storm has damaged the underwater internet and phone cable connecting Lasqueti Island, leaving the island community isolated.Â
Using the Turtle Twins' special scanner, the crew locates the damaged section trapped beneath a massive boulder. Through teamwork and utilizing each crew member's unique abilities, they carefully move the boulder and repair the cable. After two hours of coordinated effort...
Peter and Gracie: The Van Cleaning Adventure

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Lost treasures, soapy surprises, and one very fluffy cleaning assistant! Peter and his faithful companion Gracie, an American Eskimo dog embark on a seemingly simple task that turns into an adventure. The story revolves around a Saturday morning when Peter and Gracie decide to surprise Peter's father by cleaning his dirty blue van.Â
What starts as a basic cleaning project evolves into a treasure hunt as the duo discovers long-lost items hidden throughout the vehicle, including Peter's favorite Hot Wheels car, Emma's butterfly hair clip, and most importantly, D...
The Mellow Submarine: The Great Brant Geese Migration

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The tale follows a mission to help a group of tired Brant geese safely reach Parksville Beach during their migration from Mexico and California. Captain Dave's crew includes Larry the Lobster, his faithful first mate, and Penny the Penguin, the ship's skilled engineer known for her special hot chocolate with a touch of Antarctic peppermint.Â
 The story unfolds as they guide the geese, led by Gregory, through challenging ice formations caused by climate change. The Mellow Submarine's special capabilities allow them to navigate under massive ice structures, showing th...
Peter and Gracie: A Snow Day with Zeke & Debbie

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The story begins with Peter's excitement at seeing snow outside his window and getting bundled up for winter play with his furry companion. The tale takes a delightful turn when they meet new neighbors Debbie and her American Eskimo dog Zeke, leading to an afternoon of friendship and creativity.Â
The children, along with their four-legged friends, build an elaborate snow family complete with snow pets, while learning interesting facts about their dogs' circus-performing heritage. As more neighborhood children join in, the yard becomes a winter wonderland of snow s...
The Mellow Submarine: Echo the Orca's Whale Songs

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Captain Dave and his first mate Larry the Lobster aboard their Mellow Submarine encounter Echo, a young orca whale hiding from the Pacific Whale Song Festival. Echo is struggling with confidence because his singing voice differs from the traditionally powerful orca songs.Â
Larry shares a story about a seahorse who transformed her perceived weakness into a unique strength, helping Echo understand that being different can be special.Â
With newfound confidence, Echo develops his own gentle singing style that mirrors the ocean's natural rhythms. His unique performance at...
Peter and Gracie: Chief Nick & the Dashwood Fire Hall Tour

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After winning first prize in his school's fire prevention poster contest, Peter earns a special tour with Chief Nick on their exciting visit to the Dashwood Fire Station. The story captures the wonder and excitement of a child's fascination with firefighters while weaving in important messages about fire safety and community service.Â
Chief Nick serves as a warm and engaging guide, explaining everything from the weight of firefighter equipment to the importance of quick response times. The story is particularly engaging as it includes Gracie, Peter's fluffy white c...
The Mellow Submarine: A Queen’s Crown and a Crisis

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When tasked with delivering a precious crown to the Queen of the Southern Seas for her coronation, Captain Dave and his first mate Larry the lobster face an unexpected challenge as their submarine's lights fail just before entering a dark, deep trench. Through quick thinking and creativity, Larry devises a plan to collaborate with local glowfish, led by Marina, to illuminate their path through the treacherous waters.Â
 What begins as a potential disaster transforms into a magnificent adventure, as hundreds of glowfish and even young anglerfish join forces to...
Peter & Gracie: A Fun Day Fishing at Cameron Lake

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The story follows Peter and Gracie’s exciting day at Cameron Lake, where Peter's father teaches him to fish using his grandfather's fishing vest, creating a touching connection between generations. The narrative skillfully captures childhood anticipation, from Peter's early morning excitement to his triumph in catching his first rainbow trout. Gracie's presence adds both humor and heart to the story, especially when she enthusiastically returns their catch to the lake before they can release it themselves.
The day unfolds with swimming adventures, picnic lunches packed by Mom (complete wi...
The Mellow Submarine: Captain Dave's Magical Beach Day

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In this episode, we're transported to the magical world of Deep Bay, where Captain Dave commands the extraordinary Mellow Submarine alongside his first mate, Larry the Lobster. The story unfolds during a perfect beach day, highlighting the unique friendship between a cheerful captain in his bright yellow hat and a ruby-red lobster who chose adventure over a traditional ocean-floor life.Â
 Their day begins with meticulous picnic preparations aboard their submarine, which ingeniously transforms into a beach-ready vehicle. The pair's peaceful lunch is interrupted by Sam, a curious seagull wh...
Peter & Gracie; Puppy Training Adventure

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Initially overwhelmed by the responsibilities of pet ownership, Peter faces typical puppy challenges his American Eskimo puppy, Gracie: chewed furniture, destroyed pillows, and seeming disobedience. Enter Grandma Rose, a wise and patient mentor with a surprising background in dog training. She transforms Peter's frustration into an opportunity for growth by introducing her "three P's" methodology: Patience, Persistence, and Positive reinforcement.
 The story showcases their progress from basic commands to impressive tricks, culminating in a memorable backyard demonstration that wins over even skeptical neighbors. More than just a tale a...
The Crew of the Mellow Submarine - Saving Seaweed Meadows!

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Captain Dave and his faithful companion Larry the Lobster, operate the Mellow Submarine off the coast of Vancouver Island.Â
When Clem the Clam arrives with urgent news about "floating monsters" invading Seaweed Meadows, Captain Dave and Larry spring into action. They discover the monsters are actually plastic bags and other human-generated garbage threatening the marine ecosystem.Â
The story follows their mission to organize a community cleanup effort, with various sea creatures working together to restore their underwater home. The story weaves in educational elements about marine po...
Peter and Gracie's Magical Christmas Tree

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A Christmas Tale that will make you hug your dog tighter is a heartwarming tale about a young boy named Peter and his beloved American Eskimo dog, Gracie. Set in Coombs on Christmas Eve, the story follows their annual family tradition of selecting the perfect Christmas tree at a Tree Farm in Qualicum Beach.Â
At Mr. Thompson's tree lot, Gracie dons a special "Official Tree Inspector" harness as they search for their ideal tree. The story beautifully captures the magic of Christmas traditions, from the special hot chocolate M...
The Mellow Submarine: Rescuing Zoe the Young Orca

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The tale is a delightful children's story that takes place in the waters of Vancouver Island's Deep Bay and follows Captain Dave, a jovial sailor with a bushy beard, and his unusual first mate Larry, a red lobster who wears a tiny captain's hat.
The story centers around a special underwater tour with the Thompson family from Winnipeg. What begins as a simple tour transforms into a rescue mission, with the Thompson family working alongside Captain Dave and Larry to free a young whale named Zoe.
...
Peter & Gracie: Lost Kittens, New Friends, & Juicy Blackberries

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In Coombs, we meet Peter, a spirited young boy with unruly brown curls, and his loyal companion, Gracie, an American Eskimo dog. As summer vacation begins, the inseparable duo embarks on a blackberry-picking adventure. Their excursion takes an unexpected turn when Gracie's keen senses lead them to discover a tiny, lost kitten hidden in the bushes.
 Moved by compassion, Peter brings the kitten home, naming it DC (Discovered Cat). With his parents' guidance, Peter creates flyers to find the kitten's owner, learning valuable lessons about responsibility and empathy. T...