Field Day Frenzy: A Christian Chapter Book Packed with Furry Friends, Funny Adventures, and Life Lessons on Teamwork

by Mike Nawrocki, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)

The Dead Sea Squirrels action-packed adventure series continues with the ultimate teamwork test—Field Day!

Go, Team, Go!

It's Field Day at Walnut Creek Elementary School and Michael is named Team Captain. But his greed for victory makes him overlook his classmates whose unique strengths could be the key to beating the fourth-grade team, specifically Edgar. Merle and Pearl Squirrel need to speak some sense into Michael, but they're too busy escaping from the family cat and avoiding the school reporter, Sanjay. Will Michael listen to what they have to say about leadership in time to win?

Book #14 in the popular Christian kids' series packed with adventure and family-friendly humor from the co-creator of VeggieTalesCute and funny illustrations that will appeal to even the most reluctant readersPositive messages that promote biblical valuesYoung readers will learn about working together in the same way as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)Enjoy the animated series streaming on Minno!

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

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

[Lexi Bennett]

Parent Review: This is exactly what you want in an early chapter book: lighthearted, fast-paced, and full of positive takeaways. The story keeps kids engaged with its silly humor and action, but underneath there is a really nice message about teamwork, perseverance, and valuing others differences.

I love that it’s easy to read, and has just enough illustrations to keep younger readers interested - a great confidence-builder for kids transitioning into chapter books. Bonus: it actually sparked conversation afterward about winning, losing, and being a good sport!

Child review (age 10): The squirrels always add something funny to the story. But the best part was the competition. I liked that everyone on the team was different and that actually helped them instead of being a problem.

Child review (age 8): I love the pictures that go along with the story - Mr. Nemesis looked so funny. The book kind of reminded me that you don’t have to be the best at everything, you just have to help your team.

Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale Media Center for this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Mrs. G]

It is Field Day and Michael is determined to win the pizza party for his 5th grade class. But in order to win, he must learn to work as a team and use all parts of the body.

This book is a part of a series, but can be read out of order with very little explanation. The squirrels kept my elementary reader laughing up a storm while resonating with Michael's tendency to want to do all things alone. The message was clearly taught and the Bible references were clearly connected to the message.

As a family we have read other books in the series (not all of them), but they do a great job at the beginning recapping major events and who the characters are. The added pictures throughout also add to the story and some of the silly parts with the Pearle and Merle. Fun read, with a lesson - the best kind!


***NetGalley ARC Reader***