Summary: Diva, dog of a Parisian gardienne, lives her life helping watch over the grounds of 11 avenue La Play. When she meets Flea, a large cat, she realizes there is so much more to the world. Will she ever find the courage to step beyond the gates and out into the streets of Paris?
Impression: This is a cute, sweet, fun, family read. It doesn't make the top of my list but there are definitely kids out there who will enjoy this book. I do love the unlikely friendship that is formed and how the characters transform. It is also a fun way to spark interest in travels and other countries. I read it with my 5 year old and he enjoyed it!
Reading Recommendations: Down Girl and Sit series by Lucy Nolan; Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
Reviews:
Booklist starred (September 1, 2015 (Vol. 112, No. 1))
Grades 1-3. Diva is a tiny white dog who lives in a grand, old apartment building in Paris, France. As the pet of the building’s gardienne, she patrols the courtyard, making sure that all is well. Flea, on the other hand, is a large cat who roams Paris’ streets. He is a great flâneur—“someone (or somecat) who . . . has seen everything, but still looks for more, because there is always something more to discover.” One day Flea’s flâneur-ing takes him past Diva’s courtyard, and the two strike up a friendship. Diva, who is skittish and has never traveled, loves hearing of Flea’s adventures, particularly the one about the “tower so tall and so pointy that it could cut a cloud in half.” Eventually, Flea suggests that Diva go wandering with him, and after some gentle encouragement, Diva takes her first brave steps beyond the courtyard. In return, Diva takes Flea inside her apartment, introducing him to a friendly broom that won’t swat cats and the miraculous occurrence known as breakfast. Willems has written a story with winning characters and bursting with tender charm, which is further amplified by DiTerlizzi’s expressive, vintage-style illustrations. Humor and sincerity walk paw in paw through this simple chapter book, inspiring exploration, bravery, and making friends. Be warned: excessive smiling may occur while reading. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Willems and DiTerlizzi are a children’s book dream team. Stock up!
"Diva and Flea." Rev. of The Story of Diva and Flea. Booklist. 1 September 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
Horn Book Guide (Spring 2016)
Willems's amiable chapter book introduces us to the sweet friendship between Diva, a tiny "guard" dog in a Paris apartment building, and Flea, a wandering city cat, or flbneur. DiTerlizzi's bright, expressive animal faces and elegant rendering of Paris, combined with an attractive, refined book design, elevate this simple but appealing story of bravery and trust. Author and illustrator notes are appended.
"Diva and Flea." Rev. of The Story of Diva and Flea. Horn Book Guide. Spring 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2015)
A large cat and a small dog strike up an unlikely friendship in this early chapter book.Set in Paris--a setting charmingly brought to life in DiTerlizzi's illustrations--the book introduces readers to Flea and Diva. Flea is a large cat who is also a flaneur: "someone (or somecat) who wanders the streets...of the city just to see what there is to see." Flea's flaneur-ing is how he chances to discover Diva, a very small dog who guards the courtyard of the grand apartment building where she lives. At first Diva is afraid of Flea (as she is most things) and yelps and runs away. This makes Flea laugh, and he visits the courtyard daily. Eventually Diva strikes up the courage to ask Flea if he enjoys hurting her feelings, and Flea feels ashamed. The two become friends. Clever plot twists are woven into the storyline, as is the occasional French word, including the chapter headings. Willems' adroit storytelling is on display as Flea encourages Diva to try flaneur-ing herself and helps her overcome her fear of feet, while Diva encourages Flea to try indoor living complete with regular Breck-Fest--a novelty in Flea's scavenging street life--and helps him overcome his fear of brooms. The message--about the value of trying new experiences and learning to trust--lies lightly on this lively tale. (author's note, illustrator's note) (Animal fantasy. 6-8)
"Diva and Flea." Rev. of The Story of Diva and Flea. Kirkus Reviews. 1 August 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
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