Peko Pal
The Great Flood Mystery
When young otters Splash and Ripple accidentally break a water main, it floods the school grounds and threatens to expose the secret tunnels. Brandt, Carter, Maya, and Jasper must think fast to stop the flood, protect their otter friends, and keep the colony's secret safe.
- Ages
- 5–7
- Length
- 53 min, 9 chapters
- Feel
- Some suspense
- Wi-Fi to play
- Not needed
Why parents pick it
A school morning turns into a flood, and the trouble is traced back to two young otters who made a mistake while trying to give everyone a surprise. What sets this one apart is what happens next: they own up, help fix it, and are trusted again. There is plenty of problem-solving with water pressure, storm drains and teamwork along the way.
Good fit if your child…
- has made a mistake and worried about what comes after it
- likes fast, funny rescues with lots of clever improvising
- is curious about how pipes, drains and water systems work
Listen to a preview
From Chapter 1
The morning sun cast long shadows across the Oxford Elementary playground as parents dropped off their children for another school day. Brandt helped Carter adjust his backpack straps while they walked past the familiar otter statue.
"Remember, we're meeting Maya and Jasper at lunch to talk about the new tunnel map Oliver gave us," Brandt reminded his younger brother.
Carter nodded eagerly. "I can't wait to see where the new passages go! Oliver said the young otters have been exploring all summer."
As they approached the main entrance, a strange sound made them both stop. It was like rushing water, but louder than the nearby Strawberry Creek usually sounded.
"Do you hear that?" Carter asked, his head tilted to listen better.
What happens
A normal school morning turns wild when water bursts from the basement of Oxford Elementary and floods the front lawn. Brandt and Carter know the real cause might be linked to their secret otter friends living beneath the school. With city workers arriving and about to head underground, the boys, Maya and Jasper must work out what went wrong, using Maya's math and Jasper's animal know-how.
This fast-moving, funny and suspenseful adventure shows children how friends share the work, think on their feet and own up when mistakes happen. Young listeners also pick up a little about water pipes, storm drains and how creeks connect to the places they live.
For the grown-up
What they get from it. Children hear a clear example of owning a mistake, helping fix it and earning trust back, shown as a way to grow rather than a punishment. They also pick up simple ideas about water pressure and how storm drains carry water away to a creek.
Before you play it. Some suspense runs through the first half: rushing water floods the school, the friends wade through waist-deep tunnels, and city workers come close to finding them. The mood stays light, with the otters' antics, and it settles into calm, funny chapters afterwards. Adults and children also tell a few half-truths to protect the otters, which could start a conversation.
Ask your child afterwards:
- How did Splash and Ripple make up for their mistake?
- Have you ever had to fix something you broke? How did it feel?
- What would you want to say to someone who made a mistake that turned into a big problem?
Chapters
- Morning ChaosWater bursts from the school basement, and two small otters won't meet anyone's eyes.
- The Terrible MistakeA surprise tunnel went wrong, and now the water is rising underground.
- Racing Against WaterMaya does the math and Jasper has an idea. The workers are coming.
- Misdirection and MysteryA flashlight finds the children, and one worker is not easily fooled.
- Too Close for ComfortSomeone arrives with the right supplies, and two young otters pull off a clever trick.
- Splash and Ripple's RedemptionThe otters are forgiven but still feel awful. They find a way to help.
- The Cover StoryA reporter shows up at lunch, and the friends have rehearsed their answers.
- Damage ControlConstruction crews swarm the school while the otters build something of their own.
- Lessons LearnedTwo young otters get a new job and take it extremely seriously.
Themes
Common questions
- What age is The Great Flood Mystery for?
- It is written for ages 5–7.
- How long is The Great Flood Mystery?
- 9 chapters, about 53 min in all.
- Is The Great Flood Mystery scary?
- Some suspense runs through the first half: rushing water floods the school, the friends wade through waist-deep tunnels, and city workers come close to finding them. The mood stays light, with the otters' antics, and it settles into calm, funny chapters afterwards. Adults and children also tell a few half-truths to protect the otters, which could start a conversation.
- Does it need Wi-Fi?
- No. Once it is on the Pal, it plays without Wi-Fi.
Playing it on the Pal
Press the button to play or pause. Tap left or right to skip back or ahead 15 seconds, double-tap for the previous or next chapter, or triple-tap left to start the book over. Up and down switch to another book. It picks up where you left off.