The Red-Clad Troublemaker Chipmunk Alvin

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Alvin spotted Dionne across the garden, sitting quietly on a bench beneath the oak tree. Her eyes were sharp, taking in everythingthe way the light moved through the leaves, the birds hopping between branches. He'd seen her around before, but never quite found the moment to say hello. Today felt dierent.

he called out, then caught himself.

He slowed down,

positioned himself where she could see his face clearly, and tried again, speaking slowly and deliberately so she could read his lips. Hi. I'm Alvin. Dionne smileda warm, open smileand began to sign. Her hands moved with grace and precision, forming shapes Alvin recognized from the basics he'd been learning. He caught the sign for hello and grinned. He raised his own hands, a bit uncertainly, and signed what he'd practiced: the letter A, then his name signa quick gesture at his chest. His movements were careful, deliberate, but genuine. Then he spoke again, slowly and clearly, watching her eyes as her gaze drifted to his lips: Do you want to be friends? Dionne's face lit up. Her hands moved quickly this time, and though Alvin didn't catch every word, the meaning was unmistakable.

The sample pages on this site continue the opening — and the full book is available in print.