The Story Of Diva and Flea

If you ever read a book by Mo Willems you are probably aware that he appreciates a good, solid friendship. Elephant and Piggie, Trixie and Knuffle Bunny, Cat the Cat and her friends, City Dog and Country Frog all know the true definition of best friends. This topic is also displayed beautifully in his newest (and I believe first) chapter book, The Story of Diva and Flea. If I have ever helped you in the library, you know that I am the first to suggest any book by Mo Willems for your child(ren), so I am obviously ecstatic that Mr. Willems has ventured into chapter books!

The book is the perfect choice for a first chapter book for an independent reader. It is definitely the appropritate next step for children who have graduated from Willems’ picture/easy reader books but isn’t ready to say goodbye to Willems’ writing or characters. I read it to my kids since it was so easy to understand and follow along (it was also a learning experience for me as I have never read a chapter book to my children before) and they absolutely loved it. The story is about a little dog named Diva and a cat named Flea who come from different backgrounds and form an unlikely friendship in Paris, France. It is based on animals Mr. Willems met when he was living in Paris. Tony DiTerlizzi does a beautiful job illustrating the book and young readers will love reading Willems’ latest tale of two friends who roam the streets of Paris together and always come home for a delicious, filling meal. I love the idea of exposing my kids to what life is like in other cities and this story is a great spring board to compare life in New York and life in Paris. (My children noticed they have apartment buildings and a subway system just like us!) Be sure not to miss the Author and Illustrator notes in the back, it will make the story more meaningful.

Happy Reading!

Hello, World!

    

Sometimes I wish I was a world traveler and had cool photo albums filled with pictures of famous landmarks and renowned art pieces from all of my explorations that I could share with my family and friends. Until the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami becomes a landmark, something tells me it will be a while before I have a more sophisticated photo album. Until then, my children have to learn about the world from television, books and their imagination.

My children love the television show Little Einsteins on Disney Junior which has exposed them to classical music and many recognized works of art and iconic cities around the world. They often ask if they can go to these places and see the Eiffel Tower in France or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. While I feel bad telling them that we are not leaving the East Coast any time soon, a new board book series brings those cities and their cultures to life in my living room (when the television is off).

In this four book series, Hello, World highlights the best attractions and iconic features each city has to offer. It is also a concept series so you will practice your opposites in London, your numbers in San Francisco, your shapes in Paris and your colors in New York. Every parent who has been to any of these places (or lives in one of these cities) will be able to talk about the sites featured on a more personal level. I showed my children pictures of Buckingham Palace I took when I was there and held it up next to the picture in the book (they LOVED that!)

Each page of every book has something exciting to talk about with your child and truly captures the essence of each city. In the heart of New York City you can spot more than just colors while taxi cabs are flying through the streets and dogs are being walked in the park. On a sunny day in San Francisco you can count the people hopping on and off trolleys and watching the boats float by. Every must see site in Paris is mentioned in this book about shapes and children will love the changing of the guards and tea parties starting and ending in the London book of opposites.

The illustrations are bright, inviting and truly captivate the feeling of each city. I emailed the author/illustrator Ashley Evanson and asked her why she chose these four specific locations and she told me that “Each one is overflowing with its own unique culture, art, customs and life. I loved studying the history of all these cities and wanted to teach my own kids about it, too”. You will love sharing these books with your toddlers and they will love learning new concepts while experiencing another part of the world.