The Ultimate Guide to The Dead Sea Squirrels
Introducing The Dead Sea Squirrels: A New Show by VeggieTales Co-Creator Mike Nawrocki.
Minno is excited to announce the premiere of The Dead Sea Squirrels, an all-new animated series from Mike Nawrocki (VeggieTales, LarryBoy) available exclusively on our streaming service beginning February 14, 2025!
If your family loves VeggieTales, get ready to be excited—Mike Nawrocki, one of the original creators of the beloved series (and the voice of Larry/LarryBoy), has a new project: The Dead Sea Squirrels! This fun-filled animated show brings faith-based storytelling to life in a way that’s sure to capture kids’ hearts while teaching them about the Bible.
Merle and Pearl, two squirrels from biblical times, are the stars of The Dead Sea Squirrels. Based on Mike Nawrocki’s popular, award-winning book series (Tyndale), the story follows Michael Gomez, a 12-year-old boy who discovers the petrified squirrels while visiting his archaeologist father in Israel. After smuggling them back to Tennessee, a rainstorm rehydrates them, bringing the squirrels—and their firsthand knowledge of the early church—back to life! Together, Michael and the squirrels navigate modern-day challenges, all while sharing biblical lessons and hilarity.
It’s my prayer that this series helps kids make a connection to the Bible and the life of Jesus. Mike Nawrocki
From Idea to Animation: How The Dead Sea Squirrels Came to Life
The idea for The Dead Sea Squirrels came to Mike while traveling for VeggieTales. Limited by the challenge of portraying Jesus as a vegetable, he dreamed of a series that could bring New Testament stories to life. After leaving Big Idea in 2016, Mike partnered with Tyndale Publishers to create a 12-book series that has now been adapted into this animated show.
The journey wasn’t easy—Mike launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund initial animation efforts, raising over $35,000 in just a few days. Years later, thanks to major investors and a talented team, the dream has now become a reality.
Meet the Team Behind The Dead Sea Squirrels
To bring this vision to life, Mike teamed up with industry veterans like Tom Bancroft, a Disney animator, and Grammy-nominated filmmaker Steve Taylor. The animation is produced in partnership with New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation Studio and Lipscomb University’s Imagine House Productions, involving animation students and faculty mentors.
The series also features a star-studded lineup, including guest appearances by Phil Vischer (VeggieTales’ Bob the Tomato), Christian music artists like MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Ellie Holcomb, Mac Powell (Third Day), Katy Nicole, Matthew West, and even Beth Moore! With catchy original songs and hilarious adventures, The Dead Sea Squirrels is sure to be a hit with families.
Fun Characters and Biblical Lessons in The Dead Sea Squirrels
At the heart of the show are Merle and Pearl, two spunky squirrels who lived during Jesus’s time and now help Michael and his friends navigate modern-day challenges. Other characters include:
- Michael Gomez: A rule-bending 12-year-old who discovers the squirrels.
- Justin & Sadie: Michael’s best friends, always ready for adventure.
- Edgar: The school bully who stirs up trouble.
- Ruben & Dr. Simon: The quirky antagonists with their own schemes.
Each episode brings laughs, adventure, and timeless lessons grounded in biblical truth.
How Many Episodes of The Dead Sea Squirrels are Available?
There are 13 action-packed episodes in the first season of The Dead Sea Squirrels including these adventures and Bible themes:
- Squirreled Away – Honoring Your Father and Mother (Ephesians 6:2-3)
- Boy Meets Squirrel – Doing Unto Others . . . (Matthew 7:12)
- Nutty Study Buddies – Being Diligent (Proverbs 13:4)
- Squirrelnapped – Telling the Truth (Ephesians 4:25)
- Tree-Mendous Trouble – Showing Mercy (Matthew 5:7)
- Whirly Squirrlies – Using Self-Control (Proverbs 16:32)
- Merle of Nazareth – Do Not Worry (Philippians 4:6-7)
- A Dusty Donkey Detour – With God, All Things Are Possible (Matthew 19:26)
- Jingle Squirrels – God Sent His Son Because He Loves Us (John 3:16)
- Risky River Rescue – Jesus’ Baptism and the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22)
- A Twisty-Turny Journey – The Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:15-16)
- Babbleland Breakout (Part 1) – The Last Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- Babbleland Breakout (Part 2) – Death and Resurrection of Jesus (John 15:13)
The episodes will begin rolling out on Minno February 14.
Is The Dead Sea Squirrels Right for Your Family?
Absolutely! This series is designed to entertain kids while reinforcing Christian values. Each book and episode focuses on themes like kindness, obedience, and perseverance. As GoodBookMom.com puts it, “Kids will easily relate to the real-life situations while enjoying the fun, Jesus-loving squirrels.”
Perfect for kids aged 6–10, the books and show provide an engaging, family-friendly experience. Parents can rest assured that questionable behaviors are always addressed in a way that aligns with biblical principles.
But Isn’t The Dead Sea Squirrels a Book Series?
Yes! The Dead Sea Squirrels book series, created by Mike Nawrocki, blends humor, adventure, and biblical lessons into a delightful early-reader experience. Just like the show, each book is packed with relatable themes like kindness, hard work, and forgiveness, making The Dead Sea Squirrels book series a perfect choice for kids aged 6–10. Illustrated with fun, comic-style drawings, the series offers an engaging way to introduce children to biblical values through imaginative storytelling. Check out the books and watch the show on Minno!
Watch The Dead Sea Squirrels Exclusively on Minno!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Dead Sea Squirrels will premiere exclusively on Minno starting February 14, 2025! As your go-to platform for faith-based family entertainment, Minno is proud to bring this exciting new series to your home.
Are you ready to dive into the hilarious, heartwarming world of The Dead Sea Squirrels? Stream the show on Minno and explore the book series to join Merle, Pearl, and Michael on their unforgettable adventures!