Loretta Schroder and April Watanabe’s inspirational debut picture book, Scrambo Gets a New Heart!
“Be quiet! It’s morning!” yelled Scrambo. “And stay away from my tree house! … Every morning, noise, noise, noise. I’m never included in any fun.”
Scrambo Gets a New Heart! (Published in June, 2026, by Christian Faith Publishing) . . . Scrambo, a bullied squirrel, is alone, bitter, and trusts no one. When he catches another squirrel eating one of his most precious acorns, his response is revenge. As he schemes to steal all the squirrels’ stored food and drive away every forest animal — including the other squirrels, birds, deer, raccoons, and even bees — to remove his sadness and make himself happy, he discovers an uncomfortable truth: He is lonelier than ever — until one tiny squirrel shares a big idea: “Talk to Jesus.”
Through tender illustrations of relatable animals and heartfelt storytelling, readers witness how Scrambo opens his heart to divine grace, which dissolves his bitterness, restores his broken relationships, and kindles genuine friendships. This charming tale plants God’s seeds of hope as it demonstrates that no heart is too wounded and no isolation too complete to be touched by God’s love and healing.
(Enter the Giveaway Scrambo Contest at the bottom of the blog below on my website!)
Fun Facts about Loretta and April:
- Loretta R. Schroder has spent most of her life in Big Bear, California, where she loves nature and animals. She brings her considerable talents as an artist and storyteller to Scrambo Gets a New Heart! through her illustrations, especially of Scrambo, that were inspired by a special squirrel living in a pine tree next to her home deep in the forest.
- April Watanabe, a talented educator and actor, recently retired from teaching special education students in Los Angeles Unified School District and relocated to her new home in Indiana where she is putting down new roots with her husband John, a wrestling commentator and retired radio personality.
A Word from the Authors:
First off, both Loretta and April want readers to enjoy this engaging story, which they co-wrote, with Loretta’s beautiful, hand-painted oil illustrations adding another level to its storytelling. Additionally, they also created Scrambo Gets a New Heart! with the hope that children reading Scrambo’s journey will recognize themselves in his struggles, find encouragement in his transformation, and know that Jesus also sees and loves them unconditionally.
Scrambo Gets a New Heart! is perfect for families, Sunday School classrooms, Vacation Bible School programs, and just plain old fun reading together. While entertaining readers, it offers parents and educators a vehicle for discussing forgiveness, emotional healing, treating each other with kindness (and not bullying), and spiritual growth as it reinforces how beautifully faith shapes children’s hearts and futures.
Where Readers Find Loretta and April Online?
- Loretta’s Website
- April’s Blog
- Scrambo Gets a New Heart! (publisher website)
- Scrambo Gets a New Heart? (YouTube trailer)
Where You Can Buy Scrambo Gets a New Heart!
Read along with a snuggly squirrel family!
To enter the Scrambo book give-away contest, leave your comment here about whom you would share Scrambo with (or anything else you’d like to say) . Two winners will be announced on Oct. 11. — blessings, Nancy
Scrambo sounds like a lovely, heart-warming story! I would be glad to share it with my granddaughter and all my future grandchildren. The joy of reading is something I place great value on, and it is something that I will continue to pass on to our future generation. Thank you!
Thanks, Jenny, for entering the contest! I can imagine you reading to your current (now) and future grandchildren (later!). Scrambo says thanks!
I will give “Scrambo . . .” to my about to be 2 year old grandson, Sawyer, and really look forward to reading it to him! Going to buy the plushies, too! Thank you for sharing your personal connections to Jackie — we miss her. Hoping for new activity in the nest when Shadow has a new mate. I plan on seeing the Northern Lights one of these years, in Norway if possible. Best to you and Pat.
Thanks, Judy, for entering this contest. Sawyer would love Scrambo and the other animals in the book, especially as they learn how Jesus loves them all.
I would share this book with my youngest grandchild.
Thanks, Anne Marie, for entering this book giveaway contest for Scrambo, which is the perfect gift for a grandchild!