The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems (review)

Posh pooch Diva enjoys guarding her ritzy Paris apartment building, but the approach of unfamiliar feet sends her running for safety. Meanwhile, alley cat Flea enjoys his colorful life, wandering the streets and bridges and alleys of the city “just to see what there is to see.” Their relationship begins with Flea teasing the timid pup, but eventually the two bond over their differences; Flea gradually teaches Diva to be bolder and braver, and Diva introduces Flea to such niceties as regular meals and indoor living. This short chapter book doesn’t rise to the genius level of many of Willems’ other titles, but it is still a solid and appealing story. Gentle humor is effectively balanced with a few more thoughtful observations (“[Flea] realized that no one had ever bothered to take a picture of him. That was a big thought for Flea. Big enough for him to forget where he was for a second”). Stylish design (down to the medallioned endpapers and Paris Metro decorative title font) and DeTerlizzi’s line and watercolor-style art add considerable appeal: little white terrier Diva (with her jaunty crimson bow) eloquently conveys emotions with her wide eyes and alert ears, and the lither and leaner, green-eyed, black and white Flea evinces a surprisingly sleek charm. Graceful, precise lines and tidy, trim compositions capably evoke the genteel Paris setting as well. Pet lovers will take to this like Flea to a dropped piece of salami, and fans of the classic Disney film The Aristocats will feel right at home with Diva and Flea.