Pearls of Wisdom: Advice from a Dead Squirrel Who Knows Everything

After a decade of entertaining YouTube viewers with bizarre videos—featuring, among other oddities, opossum massages and pedicures—wildlife rehabilitator Spelvin debuts with a work that’s just as irreverent and bemusing, as she dispenses the wisdom of a dead psychic squirrel. Channeling the “fabulous” rodent Pearl—“alternately characterized as... fuzzy wuzzy widdle wodent, and purveyor of the best damn snake oil on the market”—Spelvin interweaves tips on wildlife care (such as grooming one’s marsupial) with wacky wordplay and squirrel spirituality. She encourages readers to volunteer at wildlife sanctuaries and cautions against fireworks and holiday plants that are harmful to wildlife—“munching on mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia can be toxic”—while pasta-loving Pearl extols the power of refined carbs, offers relationship advice, and shares her secrets to happiness (“Drugs—but I don’t advise them”). However, a manic chapter of “Lists and Lists and Lists and Lists and Lists” of opossum names (“Dot, Polka, Polka Dot, Polonaise”) submitted by video followers quickly becomes monotonous. Meanwhile, the relentless plugs for the authors’ website (“purchasing trinkets from our online gift shop is sure to be helpful”) comes off as more mercenary than clever. Even so, this absurd guide from an “ascended dead squirrel” is sure to amuse those seeking a diversion from these equally strange times. (Mar.)