BabbleLand Breakout

The Dead Sea Squirrels #12

by Mike Nawrocki, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)

The highly anticipated twelfth book in the Dead Sea Squirrels series from co-creator of Veggie Tales Mike Nawrocki is finally here!

The Gomezes need a rescue? After re-re-re-escaping from Dr. Simon’s goons, it’s Merle and Pearl’s turn to play rescue tag as they and their animal friends embark on a ridiculous mission to bust the kidnapped Gomez family out of BabbleLand---a Bible-themed amusement park with talking animals. But how can they break in without being caught? With the help of an old-enemy-turned-ally and Adrianna’s hilarious disguise, the squirrels’ roller-coaster rescue is a page-turner sure to have you laughing-out-loud.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Chapter Books, Animals, Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

As co-creator of Veggie Tales, co-founder of Big Idea Entertainment, and the voice of the beloved Larry the Cucumber, Mike Nawrocki has been dedicated to helping parents pass on wholesome values to their kids through storytelling for over two decades. Mike currently serves as the artist in residence at Lipscomb University, where he is also pursuing an MFA in writing and directing for film. The Dead Sea Squirrels is Mike's first children's book series, which he has been delighted to write from the home he shares with his wife, Lisa, and their two children in Franklin, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. I highly recommend this series for all ages it is hilarious and informational!

[Lacey Dillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

L

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not crazy about this book. I felt like the humor and artwork were a little on the disrespectful side concerning our Savior. I also did not like the premise of an amusement park based off of things in the Bible. The way that the amusement park was described in this book made it seem more like a theme park along the lines of Disney World/Disneyland or Universal Studios, making kids think that the Bible stories may not be true to life, but just fantasy. I also didn’t like that the talking animals were described as descendants of animals that were used in Bible stories. There was nothing miraculous about the descendants of the animals that God used in the Bible stories. The most important grievance that I have against this story is that when the characters were in peril in the book, they never cried out to the Lord for wisdom or help. They always got out of the scrape easily through their own efforts. On top of this, when the author described Jesus’s death and the purpose for it, he never mentioned that it was to take away our sins and to take away God’s wrath upon sinners. These are important truths to add when telling others the gospel.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 12th book in the Dead Sea Squirrels series is as enjoyable as they others. My kids, age 4 & 6 have enjoyed the adventures of Merle and Pearl and the friends (and foes) they have encountered along the way.
I’ve enjoyed the snippets of biblical truth weaved throughout the series. And the lessons that are intertwined as well.

I’m hoping this isn’t the last of the series, but if it is - it wrapped up well.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this conclusion to this great series. I loved that Ruben became nice in the end. I also loved the presentation of the Gospel in a simple form for kids. That really impressed me. I totally did not expect them to talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection and the reason that Jesus died on the cross was to rescue us and that He could’ve saved Himself but He chose not to because that was God’s plan. What a wonderful way to introduce the Gospel.

[Kenzi Lowrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is so fun! We are sad it is over!

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud with R. Feb. '24

Feels like the end of the series. Squirrels finally reunited with Gomez family.

[Becca Harbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ending, but will there be more???

[Summer Lukasiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very fun series

[Kyle Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful conclusion to the story. Nice presentation of the gospel as well. I can't wait to see where the next story takes Merle and Pearl!