Jingle Squirrels

By Mike Nawrocki and Luke Séguin-Magee

Merle and Pearl are still missing! Ruben has them hidden away in Israel, so Michael, Justin, Sadie, Jane, and Mr. and Mrs. Gomez take off on a rescue mission to get them back once and for all. In the meantime, Dusty finds himself trapped in a donkey retirement community alongside a quirky alpaca named Adriana, who just happens to be an expert lock picker! Adriana’s skills come in handy when she and Dusty find Merle and Pearl locked in the birdcage Ruben is using to transport them.

More silliness, chase scenes, and unexpected twists unfold as the squirrels try to evade recapture by Ruben. Eventually, Pearl, Dusty, and Adriana find themselves part of a live Nativity display, but where is Merle? Jingle Squirrels is a continuation of the Dead Sea Squirrels story, but it also tells the Christmas story of Christ’s birth. Readers will learn that God is our Rescuer and Redeemer. Key Verse is John 3:16.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781496449832

Mike Nawrocki

Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales and the voice of the beloved Larry The Cucumber, has been part of the pulse of the Veggie brand since its inception in 1993. Mike has created, written, and directed most of the popular “Silly Songs with Larry” segments, including fan favorites “His Cheeseburger” and “The Hairbrush Song.” He has also lent his screenwriting and directing talents to dozens of VeggieTales episodes such as “Madame Blueberry and The League of Incredible Vegetables,” as well as both of the properties’ theatrical release films, Jonah and The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. In addition, Mike has authored a number of VeggieTales books and CD projects as well as developing and writing for another of Big Idea’s hit animated properties, 3-2-1 Penguins. Mike is currently focused on developing new children's properties centered around fun characters, engaging storytelling, and wholesome values. Mike makes his home in Franklin, TN, with his wife and two children.

Book preview

Jingle SquirrelsJingle Squirrels by Mike Nawrocki. Tyndale Kids. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

The Dead Sea Squirrels Series

Squirreled Away

Boy Meets Squirrels

Nutty Study Buddies

Squirrelnapped!

Tree-mendous Trouble

Whirly Squirrelies

Merle of Nazareth

A Dusty Donkey Detour

Jingle Squirrels

Risky River Rescue

Visit Tyndale’s website for kids at tyndale.com/kids.

Visit the author’s website at mikenawrocki.com.

Tyndale is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Ministries. The Tyndale Kids logo is a trademark of Tyndale House Ministries.

The Dead Sea Squirrels is a registered trademark of Michael L. Nawrocki.

Jingle Squirrels

Copyright © 2021 by Mike Nawrocki. All rights reserved.

Illustrations by Luke Séguin-Magee. Copyright © Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

Designed by Libby Dykstra

Edited by Deborah King

Published in association with the literary agency of Brentwood Studios, 1550 McEwen, Suite 300 PNB 17, Franklin, TN 37067.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jingle Squirrels is a work of fiction. Where real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales appear, they are used fictitiously. All other elements of the novel are drawn from the author’s imagination.

For manufacturing information regarding this product, please call 1-855-277-9400.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Tyndale House Publishers at [e-mail], or call 1-855-277-9400.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4964-4981-8

ISBN 978-1-4964-4983-2 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4964-4982-5 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-4984-9 (Apple)

Build: 2021-09-29 14:53:40 EPUB 3.0

To Nona and Dennis, aka Mom and Dad:

I’m so grateful for your love and support over the years and am especially thankful you raised my brothers and me to love Jesus.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Character Profiles

Dr. Gomez’s Historical Handbook

About the Author

This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.But wait! Before we start ... Who are the Dead Sea Squirrels? Below is a comic that explains their story.Panel 1: Israel, AD 70. Merle and Pearl cruise down the Jordan River ... on the vacation of a lifetime! Panel 2: The squirrels end up at the Dead Sea, where ... Merle is floating on his back in the Dead Sea. He says, 'You can't sink! I've always wanted to not sink!' Pearl says, 'Couldn't you have just worn your floaties in the lake back home?'Panel 1: Soon the two salty squirrels are hot, thirsty, and desperate for shade. Then they spot a cave. Panel 2: Merle's sense of adventure lures him into the cave, despite Pearl's protests. Pearl says, 'If God wanted you to go into a cave, he would have made you a bat.'1,950 years later. Ten-year-old Michael Gomez is spending the summer at the Dead Sea with his professor dad and his best friend, Justin.While exploring a cave (without his dad's permission), Michael discovers two dried-out, salt-covered critters and stashes them in his backpack.Panel 1 shows the two stiff squirrels poking out the top of Michael's open backpack. Panel 2: Michael sneaks the squirrels back home with him to Tennessee.He sets them up like posable action figures on his dresser—under an open window.Panel 1: While Michael is sleeping, a thunderstorm rolls in, and it begins to rain ... Panel 2: ... rehydrating the squirrels!Up and kicking again after almost 2,000 years, Merle and Pearl Squirrel have great stories and advice to share with the modern world. They are the Dead Sea Squirrels!But the Dead Sea Squirrels' adventures don't end there. Merle and Pearl soon find out that things are a whole lot different from the first century! For one thing, there are self-filling fresh water bowls (otherwise known as toilets) ...Panel 1: an endless supply of walnuts and chicken nuggets ... Merle says, 'Thank you, chickens, for your nuggets!' Panel 2: and much fancier places to live! Lounging in their hamster house, Pearl says, 'I could get used to this!'