It’s a genius way of teaching.
Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of “VeggieTales” and the voice of Larry the Cucumber, is once again creating faith-based entertainment for kids with his new animated series, The Dead Sea Squirrels. Premiering on the Minno streaming platform, the show is based on Nawrocki’s bestselling book series and aims to bring the New Testament to life in a fun, engaging way. It follows two ancient squirrels, Merle and Pearl, who are accidentally preserved in salt near the Dead Sea and are discovered 2,000 years later. They must adapt to the modern world while sharing biblical insights with their new friend, Michael.
The concept for The Dead Sea Squirrels has been a long time in the making, even dating back to Nawrocki’s work on VeggieTales. He wanted to create a story that blended history with humor by bringing first-century characters into the contemporary world. This series also allows him to explore deeper New Testament stories, particularly focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus—a topic he wanted to explore more fully compared to VeggieTales. The title itself is a playful nod to both ancient history and pop culture, combining “Encino Man” with “Dead Sea Scrolls.”
Launching The Dead Sea Squirrels today presents new challenges compared to the 1990s, when VeggieTales was first created. The landscape of children’s content has changed dramatically, with streaming services now dominating. In this environment, Nawrocki found a great partner in Minno, a Christian streaming platform. Minno is a trusted source for faith-based content, making it the perfect home for the series, which combines humor and biblical teachings.
Nawrocki is optimistic that The Dead Sea Squirrels will have a lasting impact, much like VeggieTales did. The series features 13 episodes in its first season, based on Nawrocki’s 12-book series. He has already signed a deal for additional books, which could lead to more seasons. The show blends character-driven humor with moral lessons, aiming to teach kids about values like honesty and kindness while helping them understand the love of God.
Despite the challenges of creating content in today’s media landscape, Nawrocki remains committed to producing meaningful shows for both children and parents. Through The Dead Sea Squirrels, he hopes to inspire children, just as VeggieTales did for earlier generations, teaching them that they are special and loved by God while delivering fun, faith-filled entertainment.