The Story of Diva and Flea
by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi
Disney Hyperion (October 13, 2015)
udience: Grades 1 to 3
Fiction * Friendship * Bravery
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the Book:
Diva, a small yet brave dog, and Flea, a curious streetwise cat, develop an unexpected friendship in this unforgettable tale of discovery.

For as long as she could remember, Diva lived at 11 avenue Le Play in Paris, France. For as long as he could remember, Flea also lived in Paris, France–but at no fixed address. When Flea flâneurs past Diva's courtyard one day, their lives are forever changed. Together, Diva and Flea explore and share their very different worlds, as only true friends can do.

Learn about the creative process behind Diva and Flea:

My thoughts on the book:
Odd couple friendship stories always seem to attract readers. Maybe because in a book like The Story of Diva and Flea so many of us can see ourselves in one of the characters that it makes it easier to relate.

In the newest book by the creative team of Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi comes a story about an unlikely friendship of a small timid dog named Diva and a large, adventurous cat named Flea. Diva lives in a comfortable home with regular meal times and a caring owner. Flea lives on the streets and has stories for every adventure that he has taken.

However, despite their differences, Diva and Flea have some similarities that readers discover as they read through the book.

The story is truly charming and I found myself falling in love with Diva and Flea for different reasons. Another thing that I loved about Diva and Flea is how the story will appeal as both a classroom read aloud as an independent read for first and second graders looking for a little bit of a challenge. Though the story concept is one that will easily be grasped by young children, they can certainly relate to some of the fears that Diva shares, the vocabulary may be a stumbling block for children with a less sophisticated vocabulary.

Overall, a wonderful new book and I hope to see one or two more stories featuring this unlikely pair of friends.

Pick up a copy of The Story of Diva and Flea at your local indie bookstore or public library.

About the Author
Mo Willems (www.pigeonpresents.com), a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity). Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was also an inaugural inductee into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame. The celebrated Elephant & Piggie early-reader series has been awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal on two occasions (for There Is a Bird on Your Head! and Are You Ready to Play Outside?) as well as garnering four Honors (for We Are in a Book!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let's Go for a Drive!and A Big Guy Took My Ball!).

About the Illustrator
Tony DiTerlizzi (www.diterlizzi.com), a number-one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, created the middle-grade series The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black, which has sold millions of copies, been translated into more than 30 languages and made into a feature film. He won a Caldecott Honor for illustrating The Spider & The Fly, and in 2014 he teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with his wife, daughter and dog, Mimi.

BONJOUR, AMI prize pack
Hello, Friend! One (1) winner receives:

· A kit for DIY friendship bracelets;
· and a copy of The Story of Diva and Flea to read with your best friend.