The Dead Sea Squirrels: Why Mike Nawrocki’s 12-Book Series Is Still Making Headlines In 2025
Forget everything you thought you knew about ancient artifacts and talking rodents. As of late December 2025, the buzz around Mike Nawrocki’s unexpectedly hilarious and deeply informative Dead Sea Squirrels book series continues to grow, fueled by the recent completion of the 12-book saga and its popular animated adaptation. This middle-grade Christian fiction series, penned by the co-creator of the legendary VeggieTales, has captured the attention of families by blending laugh-out-loud humor with genuine lessons about history and faith.
The core concept is simple yet brilliant: what if the famous Dead Sea Scrolls weren't the only thing found in those ancient caves? The series kicks off when 10-year-old Michael Gomez and his best friend Justin discover two mummified, 2,000-year-old squirrels—Merle and Pearl—who are miraculously brought back to life. Their adventures, which started with Squirreled Away in 2019, have since spanned twelve full-length chapter books, cementing the series as a modern staple for young readers seeking wholesome, educational fun.
Meet the Creator: Mike Nawrocki’s Biography and Legacy
The success of The Dead Sea Squirrels is intrinsically linked to its creator, Mike Nawrocki, a name synonymous with high-quality, faith-based children's entertainment. His career is a testament to the power of storytelling through humor and moral teaching.
- Full Name: Michael "Mike" Nawrocki
- Born: 1966 (Approximate)
- Vocation: Author, Animator, Voice Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
- Most Famous Work: Co-creator of VeggieTales (with Phil Vischer)
- Signature Role: The voice of Larry the Cucumber (VeggieTales)
- Educational Background: Attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Current Project Focus: The Dead Sea Squirrels book series and animated show, which launched in 2023
- Publisher for Squirrels Series: Tyndale House Publishers
- Series Genre: Middle-Grade Christian Fiction / Chapter Books
- Key Themes: Friendship, biblical history, archaeology, faith, and humor
Nawrocki’s transition from animated vegetables to ancient squirrels was a natural one, allowing him to continue his mission of educating children on important topics—this time, focusing on the world of the Bible and the historical significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Complete Dead Sea Squirrels Book List in Order (2019–2024)
The series is remarkable for its consistent release schedule, offering young readers a steady stream of adventures featuring Michael, Justin, Merle, and Pearl. The final book, BabbleLand Breakout, capped off the 12-volume series in early 2024, making this the perfect time for new readers to binge the entire collection.
Here is the full, chronological list of every book in The Dead Sea Squirrels series:
- Squirreled Away (2019)
- Boy Meets Squirrels (2019)
- Nutty Study Buddies (2019)
- Squirrelnapped! (2019)
- Tree-mendous Trouble (2020)
- Whirly Squirrelies (2020)
- Merle of Nazareth (2021)
- A Nutty Tale of Two Cities (2021)
- The Great Chili Cook-Off (2022)
- The Scrolls of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (2022)
- The Mystery of the Missing Scrolls (2023)
- BabbleLand Breakout (2024)
Each installment continues the boys' misadventures as they try to keep the existence of the 2,000-year-old, talking squirrels a secret while learning about important historical locations and biblical lessons. The humor, often described as "undoubtedly laugh out loud" by critics, ensures that the educational content is delivered in a highly engaging and memorable way.
From Page to Screen: The Dead Sea Squirrels Animated Series
The success of the books naturally led to an animated adaptation, a project spearheaded by Nawrocki himself, leveraging his decades of experience in animation. This move significantly boosted the series' topical authority and reach.
Where to Watch the Animated Adventures
The animated series, which follows the same premise of Michael and Justin discovering Merle and Pearl in the Dead Sea Caves of Israel, premiered in early 2023.
- Exclusive Streaming Home: The primary and exclusive platform for the series is Minno, a popular Christian family streaming service.
- Other Platforms: Episodes are also available for viewing on platforms like Apple TV.
- The Plot: The show’s narrative centers on the boys trying to hide the ancient squirrels, who are constantly causing trouble due to their two-millennia-old perspectives on the modern world.
The animated show acts as a perfect companion to the books, bringing the vibrant characters and zany scenarios—such as the squirrels’ confusion over modern technology and their attempts to apply ancient wisdom to contemporary problems—to life. The show’s production maintains the high standard of quality and wholesome content that fans expect from a Mike Nawrocki creation, appealing directly to the middle-grade audience and their parents.
Topical Authority: Key Entities and Themes Explored
One of the reasons the Dead Sea Squirrels series resonates so strongly is its ability to weave together a wide range of educational and faith-based entities into a fun narrative. The books are not just about talking squirrels; they are a subtle introduction to complex topics.
Key entities and themes that build the series' topical authority include:
- Dead Sea Scrolls: The central historical artifact that grounds the entire premise. The boys' adventures often revolve around the archaeology and significance of these ancient texts.
- Israel: The primary setting for the initial books, specifically the Dead Sea region and its caves, providing a geographical and cultural backdrop.
- Archaeology: Michael’s father is an archaeologist, making the scientific process of discovery a recurring element in the stories.
- Biblical History: The squirrels, having been alive during the time of Jesus (2,000 years ago), offer unique, albeit comical, perspectives on historical events referenced in the Bible.
- Museum of the Bible: The series has partnered with the Museum of the Bible for events, further cementing its educational value.
- Christian Values: Friendship, honesty, courage, and faith are the foundational moral lessons subtly integrated into every story arc.
By blending these real-world entities with the fictional antics of Merle and Pearl, Nawrocki has created a series that is both an entertaining read and an excellent resource for parents and educators looking for engaging Christian chapter books for their middle-grade children.
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