DIVA DELORES & the OPERA HOUSE MOUSE {Review}

Everyone needs a little help now and then, but not everyone sees eye to eye in DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE, written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings.

The Grand Characters

One may argue there is just one, but there are two, grand characters—Delores and Fernando.

Delores, a singing seal, finally receives her chance to take center stage and be the opera house diva!

But long before the curtain goes up, her snobbish behavior falls on the Opera House Mouse, Fernando.

Delores’ singing isn’t as polished as her pearl necklace. She needs help! Fernando comes to the rescue. Problem after problem arises. Fernando tries to share his talent and assist Delores.

Alas, Delores expects a diva’s help to come from someone of greater stature–not a mouse.

Fernando Is No Rug Rat

The author does a terrific job building the tension in this story.

A tolerant Fernando endures Delores’ arrogant attitude and rude remarks until finally, he’s had enough. It’s one thing to overlook rudeness every once in a while, but it’s something else to become a rug rat (a.k.a. doormat) for continual disrespect.

Of course, even though Delores exhibits rude behavior, like spraying Fernando with perfume to shoo him away, everything in this book is age-appropriate and suitable for a child audience.

I’m not going to give away how Fernando addresses the problem. But he does handle it with strength and courage. Kudos to Fernando!

Sassi Sings

“Make your words sing,” is a popular phrase in picture book writing workshops. Author, Laura Sassi, must have donned an opera wig and white pearls when she wrote this story.

And yet, when Fernando

Said,  “How do you do?”

I’m here to assist

with your diva debut . . .”

Delores said, “Nonsense!

and left in a huff.

“A mouse help a diva?

That’s not good enough!”

No-no-no-no!

Illustrations Resonate

Illustrator, Rebecca Gerlings’ use of rich, jewel tone colors resonate with the book’s characters. The gold, pink, and purple highlight the diva in Delores. The brown and navy anchor the trustworthiness in Fernando.

Throughout the book, Gerlings illustrates solos gliding across the pages. The reader can’t help but sing them with operatic style!

“No-no-no-no!”

“Voila-la-la-la!”

“Thank-you-you-you!”

The Rave Review

Will Delores get her act together in time to receive a rave review at the Opera House? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

I highly recommend this book. It’s a delightful way to open the stage for children to engage in discussions on perseverance, forgiveness, problem-solving, respect, gratitude, and friendship.

It’s a wonderful reminder to treat others the way we want to be treated.

This book is appropriate for ages three and up. It is published for the general market by Sterling Children’s Books.

You also may enjoy reading another review I did of one of Laura Sassi’s books, Love is Kind, published by Zonderkidz.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.