Tree-Mendous Trouble

The Dead Sea Squirrels #5

by Mike Nawrocki, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator)

Continue the series Kirkus Reviews said will make kids “undoubtedly laugh out loud” with “plenty of humor to tickle young readers” and recommended for fans of Big Nate and Stink!Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, is back with more adventures with Michael and his friends!Fancy costumes, an upgraded hamster house, and a dinner invitation? Sounds like Merle and Pearl are really coming up in the world now that they’re settling into the 21st century. But maybe this invitation to share acorns with new friends isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s another hilarious adventure with Merle and Pearl as they learn that kindness counts, even when you’re facing your biggest (and fluffiest) nemesis.

Genres: Childrens, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Middle Grade, Animals, Humor

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2020

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

[Kyle Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are such a blast. Great lessons, great comedy, and a fun serialized story.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be forthright, I read the first book in the series and wasn't much impressed. But I decided to give this series a second chance as the first book in the series was quite introductory in nature.

While this is the fifth book in the series, it would be a fine starting point into the series as there is a recap at the beginning, and relatively little time has passed since the events of the first book.

The Squirrels, Merle and Pearl are struggling to fit in with the local squirrels, meanwhile the family cat is plotting as to how to make Merle and Pearl his meal.

While this was a clean read and great for early chapter book readers, with fun illustrations, I felt that the faith message was kind of "slapped on" at the end, making it seem more moralistic than faith themed, which was disappointing to me. The story is funny and absurd at times, and know kids who have enjoyed it, but in the end it's not something I can personally recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Jessica Silhavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves this series, he's 5 and we have read it as his bedtime read aloud. He was very sad when we had to wait for the next one from the library.

They are wonderful books for reading aloud to the younger children, and great for 2nd-ish grade reading level to read on their own.

The squirrels are charming and entertaining while teaching children great values from the Bible to live by. I highly recommend you read this series if you have not already done so, or read it again if you have.

The books do follow a plot as a whole, so you do need to read them in order.

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dead Sea Squirrels are a series of children's books that are just a fun read. In each volume, the squirrels and Michael (the boy who discovered them and brought them home from the Dead Sea) get themselves in some sort of predicament, and along the way, they learn some valuable lessons. I don't feel they're preachy; there's one verse at the beginning of the book, which gives you an idea of the lesson that will be learned. My 9- and 10-year-old grandsons think they're hilarious!

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've gone back and forth between a 3 and 4 star rating. As an adult, I rate it 3 stars, but my guess is most kids would say 4! Off the wall silliness. Salt-encrusted, almost 2000 year old squirrels. Really??!! But I do like the Dead Sea tie-in, and I like that the Bible lesson, while very clear, isn't overly preachy. The kids can figure it out on their own. So, I ended up with 4 stars. Fun for 7-9 year olds.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read! My kids (6 and 3 years old) really enjoy reading these books each night. In this one, the squirrels are up against Mr. Nemesis - but the moral of the story - always help those in need, is at the forefront. We enjoy the humor, and I love the biblical references! The morals of each story are excellent too.

[Emily K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great one in the series. I just love the incorporation of Biblical lessons.

[Trista · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was enjoying this series until they included images of a cartoon Jesus. I’m going to assess the next books before deciding whether or not we will continue.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book for a read aloud with my kids. The lessons tied into the story are great. My kids love this series

[Laura McCarty-Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that they were able to get the cat down.

I didn't like that the cat got stuck in a tree.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teaches about mercy and continues deceptions surrounding the squirrels but this time toward Dr. Gomez's boss instead of Michael to his parents.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in The Dead Sea Squirrels series. Now that the family all knows about Pearl and Merle they have to protect him from Mr Nefarious!

[Sydney Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another high stakes episode with my fav squirrels

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good lesson in mercy, but it might’ve been leaning a little too heavy on the “show mercy so you can be blessed” side.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Christian book!!

[Stephen Archer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Dead Sea Squirrels about two-squirrels who wake up after sleeping for almost 2,000 years. The squirrels live with the Gomez family and their cat Mr. Nemesis. In this book, the overarching theme was the beatitudes and in particular kindness.

The book itself was a cute book. I would consider it to be a good introductory chapter book for children who are just getting into them. The problem that I had with this book was the lack of decent doctrine for children. Having lead children in various capacities for years, I've realized that kids can understand a lot more than we give them credit for.

There were a few spots in the book where the squirrels get close to giving the gospel to the kids but left it short leaving me disappointed. It seemed as though Jesus was to be followed because he was a good person and taught good things and nowhere was it mentioned that he died so that we can follow Him. I left feeling like Jesus was more like Gandhi than the Son of God. I think kids can take that and learn that.

Because of these things, I gave it two stars. I really wanted to like this book, but it kind of fell short.

[Barry McCarty-Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not like that Merle and the grey squirrels did not want to help the cat down. I did like Pearl helped the cat.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. I like Mr. Nemesis and think he is a nice addition to the characters. These are fun stories with simple lessons worth the read. My kids seem to really enjoy them.

[Wintermote · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to illustrate the concept of mercy in a way that kids can grasp!

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite of the series so far! I really liked it!