Nashville, TN (April 7, 2021)
Mike Nawrocki, VeggieTales co-creator and voice of Larry the Cucumber, had no idea his next animated adventure would star rodents. However, a few years’ time and one amazing idea led to the creation of Nawrocki’s newest animated series The Dead Sea Squirrels. And just like squirrels gather resources for winter, Nawrocki and his team gathering resources to bring this animated series to life with a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
Nawrocki and his team needed to raise at least $1.2 million to fund the production and animation of the first six episodes of The Dead Sea Squirrels, the 13-episode animated series based on Nawrocki’s book series of the same name.
To make this dream a reality, Nawrocki gathered an outstanding team of industry professionals with whom he teaches at Lipscomb University, including renowned Disney animator Tom Bancroft (Mulan, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) and legendary producer/filmmaker/recording artist Steve Taylor, with whom he co-wrote “The Dead Sea Squirrels” theme song. They are even employing some of animation’s newest and brightest stars–their students at Lipscomb, who have been hired to help animate the series in coordination with New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation Studios.
Watch the promo video:
“It’s been a longtime dream of mine to bring this series to life,” says Nawrocki. “What started as a title based on a ‘cheesy’ pun has developed into a fun-filled world kids will love while giving parents an entertaining resource to pass on biblical values and life lessons. Plus, with VeggieTales, 3-2-1 Penguins, and now The Dead Sea Squirrels, I hope to cement my legacy as the ‘cheesy’ pun title guy!”
Merle of Nazareth
The Dead Sea Squirrels #7
Mike Nawrocki
Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)
Tyndale Kids
Genres: Children’s, Animation
ISBN-10 : 1496449738
ISBN-13 : 978-1496449733
Book Summary:
The Dead Sea Squirrels are back! Mike Nawrocki brings his signature humor and storytelling expertise to the newest installment in the beloved series.
Merle and Pearl have been squirrelnapped and taken to Israel. Even though Michael, Justin, and Sadie have just started 5th grade, they convince their parents that a trip to Israel will be an educational experience, especially since Michael’s mom is a teacher and can help them keep up with their schoolwork. Nazareth is the first stop for Merle and Pearl’s squirrelnapper. The kids are able to track Merle and Pearl to Nazareth, the town where Joseph and Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. Then the squirrels learn that the black-market artifact collector will be moving them to Bethlehem and manage to leave a clue for the kids as to where they are going. Will the kids find Merle and Pearl in time, or will the squirrelnapper get away again?
Christian Fiction New Book Release: Merle of Nazareth—The Dead Sea Squirrels #7 by Mike Nawrocki
Buy Merle of Nazareth from the FF Store HERE!
Buy Merle of Nazareth from Amazon HERE!
A Dusty Donkey Detour
The Dead Sea Squirrels #8
Mike Nawrocki
Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)
Tyndale Kids
Genres: Children’s, Animation
ISBN-10 : 1496449770
ISBN-13 : 978-1496449771
Book Summary:
Merle and Pearl meet . . . a talking donkey?
Merle and Pearl are still in the clutches of their squirrelnapper. The Gomez family, along with Justin and Sadie, is in hot pursuit. After a wrong turn, they receive a hint from the most unlikely of sources.
Meanwhile, Merle and Pearl are having their own adventure, riding a donkey from Bethlehem to Nazareth under the watchful eye of their abductor. As usual, their hijinks bring laughter and a few surprises―this time in the form of new friends who are also animals. And they can talk!
Will Merle and Pearl finally be rescued? Everyone learns that with God, all things are possible.
Buy A Dusty Donkey Detour from the FF Store HERE!
Buy A Dusty Donkey Detour from Amazon HERE!