3/30/22

Probably a 3.5, but rounded up because of Tony DiTerlizzi's wonderful and colorful illustrations, which appear about every other page. If you love Paris and/or the Aristocats, this book is for you. Like the famous O'Malley, Flea is an alley cat and a flaneur (explorer.) Diva is a small white dog, who guards the courtyard in front of the apartment building, where her owner is the caretaker. The interaction between the two is heartwarming and they help each other be brave: one to explore and the other to trust people. ( )

(Review by Zoe, aged 6.) It's a book which, if you're a cat and a dog lover, then you'll think it's very funny and cute, about a dog and a cat who sort of get along and they live in Paris. It's a very nice book. ( )

This is a story about an unlikely friendship between a well bathed dog and a street cat. These animals couldn't be different, but opposites attract sometimes. They both teach each other what their world is like and both animals grow from this friendship.

Re-read (w/ L) August 2019, re-read again June 2021

*

A very good choice for emerging/continuing readers!

Diva is a small dog who patrols the courtyard of her building and flees at the sight of anything new (or feet. Unless the feet belong to Eva). Flea is a flaneur, who roams Paris discovering things. One day Flea discovers Diva, and a friendship is born. Flea shows Diva the outside world, and Diva shows Flea the inside world (and the wonders of "Breck-Fest").

Quotes

One day after [Flea] had finally told the story of "The Store Where the Man Roasts Whole Chickens and Could Learn a Thing or Two About Sharing"... (23)

"The inside of 11 avenue Le Play may be weird," said Flea with a mouthful of Breck-Fest, "But it is also a little bit magic." (52)

Lively, expressive illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick Chronicles) in muted tones (mostly black and white, with red and green accent colors) accompany the text by Mo Willems. ( )