The Story of Diva and Flea

The Story of Diva and Flea follows an unlikely friendship between two animals in Paris - a small guard dog who never leaves her courtyard and a streetwise cat who roams the city. The story is based on real animals encountered by author Mo Willems during his time in Paris. This chapter book combines text by Willems with illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi to bring the streets and courtyards of Paris to life. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters as they learn about each other's very different worlds. Through their growing friendship, Diva and Flea discover the value of stepping outside comfort zones and seeing life from new perspectives. The book explores themes of friendship across differences, finding courage, and the rewards of embracing new experiences.

Parents and children report enjoying this story of friendship between a pampered dog and streetwise cat in Paris. Many reviewers note it works well as both a picture book and early chapter book. Readers praise: - The illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi - Educational elements about Paris - Messages about bravery and trying new things - Accessible vocabulary for new readers Common criticisms: - Story pacing feels slow in middle sections - Some find the ending underwhelming - A few note it's less humorous than other Mo Willems books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) "Perfect for kids transitioning to chapter books," notes one teacher reviewer. A parent writes: "The Parisian setting adds charm but the friendship story is universal." Some readers mention the book sparked discussions with children about exploring outside comfort zones, though a few found the "stay in your own neighborhood" message limiting.

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🐾 A "flaneur" is a French term from the 19th century, describing someone who strolls the city observing society - a concept made famous by poet Charles Baudelaire. 🎨 Tony DiTerlizzi, the book's illustrator, is also famous for co-creating "The Spiderwick Chronicles" series, which became a major Hollywood film. 🇫🇷 The story takes place near the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, one of the city's most historic and elegant neighborhoods. ✍️ Mo Willems drew inspiration for this story during his time as a Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence in Paris, where he observed the city's unique culture and character. 🐱 While Flea is a cat in this story, most of Mo Willems' other famous animal characters are different species, including Elephant and Piggie, and the Pigeon from "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"