Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
A Modest Bestiary
by David Sedaris
Mem. Ed. $10.99
Pub. Ed. $13.00
You pay $1.00
Bonus Content
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
The Cat and the Baboon
The cat had a party to attend, and went to the baboon to get herself groomed.
“What kind of party?” the baboon asked, and she massaged the cat’s neck in order to relax her, the way she did with all her customers. “Hope it’s not that harvest dance down on the riverbank. My sister went last year and said she’d never seen such rowdiness. Said a fight broke out between two possums and one gal, the wife of one or the other, got pushed onto a stump and knocked out four teeth. And they were pretty too, none of this yellowness you find on most things that eat trash.”
The cat shuttered. “No,” she said. “This is just a little get together, a few friends. That type of thing.”
“Will there be food?” the baboon asked.
“Something,” the cat sighed. “I just don’t know what.”
“Course it’s hard,” the baboon said. “Everybody eating different things. You got one who likes leaves and another that can’t stand the sight of them. Folks have gotten so picky nowadays I just lay out some peanuts and figure they either eat them or they don’t.
“Now, I wouldn’t like a peanut,” the cat said. “Not at all.”
“Well, I guess you’d just have drinks then. The trick is knowing when to stop.”
“That’s never been a problem for me,” the cat boasted. “I drink until I’m full, and then I push myself away from the table. Always have.”
“Well, you’ve got sense then. Not like some of them around here.” The baboon picked a flea from the cat’s head and stuck it gingerly between her teeth. “Take this wedding I went to, last Saturday, I think it was. Couple of marsh rabbits got married-you probably heard about it.”
The cat nodded.
“Now, I like a church service but this was one of those write your own vows sorts of things. Neither of them had ever picked up a pen in their life but all the sudden they’re poets, right, like that’s all it takes is being in love.”
“My husband and I wrote our own vows,” the cat said defensively.
“Sure you did,” the baboon said, “But you probably had something to say, not like these marsh rabbits carrying on that their love was like a tender sapling or some damn thing. And all the while they had this squirrel off to the side plucking at a harp, I think it was.”
“I had a harp player at my wedding,” the cat said, “and it was lovely.”
“I bet it was, but you probably hired a professional, someone who could really play. This squirrel, I don’t think she’d taken a lesson in her life. Just clawed at those strings, almost like she was mad at them.”
Excerpted from the book SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK by David Sedaris. Copyright ©2010 by David Sedaris. Reprinted with permission of Little, Brown and Company, New York, NY. All rights reserved.”
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk
David Sedaris’ wacky wit is on full display in Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, a collection of stories revolving around a menagerie of peculiar animals. Though the characters aren’t human, the situations bear an unsettling resemblance to the ups-and-downs of everyday life.
In “The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck,” three strangers discuss animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. “Hello Kitty” introduces readers to a cynical feline trying to get through his prison-mandated AA meetings. The titular tale involves two star-crossed lovers separated by prejudiced family members. Illustrated by Ian Falconer (author of the bestselling Olivia series), this is Sedaris at his most observant, poignant and surprising.
Softcover : 112 pages
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA ( October 05, 2010 )
Item #: 13-186623
ISBN: 9781611297416
Product Dimensions: 5.0 x 7.0 x 0.42inches
Product Weight: 7.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Wasn't sure what to expect 
February 29, 2012
I have to admit that the cover art caught my attention: 2 lovers gazing at each other over wine & candlelight. Haven't we all been attracted to someone who doesn't fit into our comfort zone? I read this book in a single day and couldn't put it down. By using characters from the animal kingdom Sedaris presents us with fables for current times in a witty and creative way. We find "people" we know in these tales - maybe even ourselves. We've all suffered through tedious narratives like those told by the Warblers, witnessed schemers like the cow & the secret Santa, been tricked by smooth talkers like the crow (but hopefully not at the cost of our lamb), and have met paranoid extremists like the rabbit guarding the gate. Actually, I found the Crow and the Lamb a bit shocking - we see the little lamb bright-eyed and smiling, safe with his mother and then maimed by the crow because his mother is foolish. Another reason I enjoyed this book is the illustrations. I love illustrations and these make the stories more fun and vivid- again, the little lamb. Yes, the price was a little steep but I enjoyed it anyway. I'll suggest it to friends.
Reviewer: Jean
Didn't Think I'd Like It 
September 20, 2011
I love everything Sedaris has written, but found it hard to pick this book up what with its weird premise. I finished the book wishing it were longer - in fact my only criticism is its very short length for the price. I don't know how David Sedaris started with the lives of animals and made them seem human yet animal and told stories that resonated. I recognized many of the characters, some of them inside myself. Yes, that one about the hippopotamus was a bit unsavory for me, but other than that, excellent book!
Reviewer: Gemmakins
Whimsical
May 24, 2011
I picked this book up in Borders and giggled through the first story. I didn't buy it though because of the price, and the author was an unknown to me. When I saw it on BOM2, I got very excited. Looking forward to getting it in the mail.
Reviewer: Kim
beware of Sedaris imposter
May 03, 2011
I was so looking forward to reading his latest, but it was just plain weird. Creepy, disgusting in places, not the least bit funny. Maybe his doppelganger wrote it. I'd like my time and money back, please.
Reviewer: Jt
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