Parents' Guide to

The Story of Diva and Flea

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Beautiful art befits charming friendship story set in Paris.

Book Mo Willems For Beginning Readers 2015
The Story of Diva and Flea Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In THE STORY OF DIVA AND FLEA, Diva is a small dog with a big job, guarding a charming residential building in Paris. She stands watch at the filigreed gate -- and skedaddles at the first sound of approaching feet. Enter Flea, a scruffy stray cat who's a "flâneur," one who "wanders the streets and bridges and alleys of the city just to see what there is to see." After Diva accuses Flea of trying to hurt her feelings by scaring her, the two become fast friends. Flea regales Diva with stories about the wonders of the city just beyond her gate, including "the giant tower that can cut a cloud in half," which inspires Diva to venture out to see the Eiffel Tower. But Flea, too, gains from the friendship, mustering the courage to enter Diva's apartment, where he at last finds a welcoming home, one with something called "Breck-Fest," that to his amazement happens "with great regularity."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The art brims with French charm in this beautifully produced book that's a gentle cat-dog friendship story and a mini-trip to Paris. Nothing's too difficult for young readers in this early chapter book, though Willems cleverly and skillfully weaves in some French words, such as "gardienne" and "flâneur" that go down as easily as a cup of chocolat. There's also fun in the animals' point of view; Flea doesn't know the human names for things such as "Eiffel Tower" and "breakfast," and when he comes to the Metro stop, he discovers "giant rooms on wheels would suddenly appear and release large groups of people," and he thinks, "So that's where people come from." The reassuring message is lightly delivered: Whatever your fears, you can stretch and move beyond them.

A close look at DiTerlizzi's exquisite art yields some fun surprises. He grants cameo appearances to both author and illustrator. Can the reader spot them? And he slyly posts a picture of Willems' famous pigeon on a sign at the Metro stop. But the real pleasure is in his loving rendering of Paris. The quintessentially Parisian architecture, Art Nouveau entrance to the Metro Stop, and artfully arranged window at the charcuterie transport us. It's richly produced, printed on heavy paper that provides tactile pleasure and underscores the book's classic feel.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friends. Do you have any friends who are different from you? What do you learn from each other?

  • Look closely at the art. Can you find pictures of the author and illustrator? And a picture from one of Mo Willems' other books?

  • Which character is the most like you? Are you more of an adventurer, like Flea, or more cautious, like Diva?

Book Details

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