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Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse
Tra la la la!
Can an opera house mouse and a disrespectful diva make beautiful music together? Maybe . . . if she learns some manners!
Fernando loves Mozart, Puccini, and Strauss, and lending a paw at the old opera house. Unfortunately, diva Delores wants no help from a mouse. She craves glamour and spotlights and praise—and she’s getting her chance to take center stage. But it’s all going wrong; she’s missing her entrance and flubbing her song. Fernando can save her—but only if Delores behaves. Will Delores hit a sour note? Or will she team up with Fernando . . . and bring down the house?
Fernando loves Mozart, Puccini, and Strauss, and lending a paw at the old opera house. Unfortunately, diva Delores wants no help from a mouse. She craves glamour and spotlights and praise—and she’s getting her chance to take center stage. But it’s all going wrong; she’s missing her entrance and flubbing her song. Fernando can save her—but only if Delores behaves. Will Delores hit a sour note? Or will she team up with Fernando . . . and bring down the house?
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 6, 2018
1 person is currently reading
636 people want to read
About the author
Laura Sassi
16 books61 followersLaura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. She is the author of multiple books for young children including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark (Zonderkidz), which was a 2015 Christian Book Award Finalist; Goodnight, Manger (Zonderkidz); Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse (Union Square Publishing), which was a 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award Nominee; Love Is Kind (Zonderkidz), which was a 2020 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor Book; Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep (Beaming Books), Bunny Finds Easter (Zonderkidz), Happy Birthday, Christmas Child (Paraclete Press), her new counting board book, and coming in 2023, from Paraclete Press, My Tender Heart Bible and My Tender Heart Prayer Book.
Laura had a successful teaching career before becoming a children’s author. She’s been a homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, historic museum interpreter, and more. She writes daily from her home in New Jersey and finds special joy in sharing messages of kindness, comfort, and faith through story at school visits, church gatherings and other events.
Interested in having her for an author visit? Reach out to her via the contact tab on her blog.
Laura had a successful teaching career before becoming a children’s author. She’s been a homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, historic museum interpreter, and more. She writes daily from her home in New Jersey and finds special joy in sharing messages of kindness, comfort, and faith through story at school visits, church gatherings and other events.
Interested in having her for an author visit? Reach out to her via the contact tab on her blog.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 18, 2018
A sweet story that music lovers are sure to enjoy. Great rhyme too!
March 31, 2021
The story begins with an introduction of the characters and their "backstories."
"Fernando loved chocolate
and cheese on dry toast,
and popcorn and gumdrops,
But what he liked most...
was feasting on Mozart,
Puccini and Strauss,
and lending a paw
at the Old Opera House."
On the next page, we meet Delores:
"Delores loved glamour and
spotlights and praise.
She longed to be showered
with fragrant bouquets.
Now here was her chance,
after years in the chorus,
to take center stage and be
Diva Delores!"
Fernando is ready and willing to help Delores with her debut, but she haughtily determines she has no need of him. Not one to take rebuffs easily, Fernando continues to help her--despite her disdain. On the day before the opening, Fernando comes to her rescue when Delores finds (ahem) that she has a problem fitting into her gown.
"With one day remaining
till opening night
Delores discovered
her gown was too tight!"
Needless to say, Fernando's efforts aren't appreciated.
Delores FINALLY comes to her senses when she falters during her performance. She needs help from her little friend--but where is he? Has he abandoned her?
Of course not! Fernando pops out of his hiding place inside her wig and saves the show amidst cheers from the crowd.
"She sang high, she sang low,
with a voice rich and sweet,
as the Opera House mouse
tapped along to the beat.
And when she forgot
the last verse of her song,
He said, "I can help!"
Then he tra-la'd along.
And the audience loved them.
They brought down the house.
'Three cheers for Delores!'
'Three cheers for that mouse!'"
The unique rhymes in the text match the wonderful illustrations. A fun book for any young reader.
"Fernando loved chocolate
and cheese on dry toast,
and popcorn and gumdrops,
But what he liked most...
was feasting on Mozart,
Puccini and Strauss,
and lending a paw
at the Old Opera House."
On the next page, we meet Delores:
"Delores loved glamour and
spotlights and praise.
She longed to be showered
with fragrant bouquets.
Now here was her chance,
after years in the chorus,
to take center stage and be
Diva Delores!"
Fernando is ready and willing to help Delores with her debut, but she haughtily determines she has no need of him. Not one to take rebuffs easily, Fernando continues to help her--despite her disdain. On the day before the opening, Fernando comes to her rescue when Delores finds (ahem) that she has a problem fitting into her gown.
"With one day remaining
till opening night
Delores discovered
her gown was too tight!"
Needless to say, Fernando's efforts aren't appreciated.
Delores FINALLY comes to her senses when she falters during her performance. She needs help from her little friend--but where is he? Has he abandoned her?
Of course not! Fernando pops out of his hiding place inside her wig and saves the show amidst cheers from the crowd.
"She sang high, she sang low,
with a voice rich and sweet,
as the Opera House mouse
tapped along to the beat.
And when she forgot
the last verse of her song,
He said, "I can help!"
Then he tra-la'd along.
And the audience loved them.
They brought down the house.
'Three cheers for Delores!'
'Three cheers for that mouse!'"
The unique rhymes in the text match the wonderful illustrations. A fun book for any young reader.
November 13, 2018
Diva Delores has just gotten a chance to move up from the chorus and make her debut. The Opera House Mouse is eager to help out the new comer (and oh boy does she need it), but can the diva swallow her pride and accept the help of a little mouse?
The Opera House Mouse is quite a nice little guy. He bears through some unkind treatment, but he does draw a line. He makes Delores understand that if he's going to continue to help her, then she needs to treat him better. It's a good model for kids of balance of grace and kindness, but also having boundaries and not letting others abuse you. Delores learns a good lesson about how pride can come before a fall, though she learns it in time she doesn't fall hard. The setting of the story and the rhyming quatrains make the story (and the important lessons) very fun. A great one for talking about how to balance being nice and standing up for yourself. I also love that the Opera Mouse never waivers in his confidence in his own skills regardless of what Delores says about him. He knows who he is and that's another great lesson for kids. Of course what will probably sell most kids on this story are the cute animals and the pink and glitter on the cover.
The Opera House Mouse is quite a nice little guy. He bears through some unkind treatment, but he does draw a line. He makes Delores understand that if he's going to continue to help her, then she needs to treat him better. It's a good model for kids of balance of grace and kindness, but also having boundaries and not letting others abuse you. Delores learns a good lesson about how pride can come before a fall, though she learns it in time she doesn't fall hard. The setting of the story and the rhyming quatrains make the story (and the important lessons) very fun. A great one for talking about how to balance being nice and standing up for yourself. I also love that the Opera Mouse never waivers in his confidence in his own skills regardless of what Delores says about him. He knows who he is and that's another great lesson for kids. Of course what will probably sell most kids on this story are the cute animals and the pink and glitter on the cover.
December 12, 2025
Delores is about to make her Diva debut at the Opera, and Fernando the mouse has been assigned to assist her, however Delores doesn't think one so small could actually be helpful (despite him proving the contrary), so she ignores his help. When the big day comes though, she not only realizes his value, but treats him properly too!
Really liked this for several reasons! The artwork, beautiful; the rhyme scheme, enjoyable; Fernando proving himself, but then demanding Delores change her unacceptable behavior, fantastic! Too often in stories the hardworking, background character is taken advantage of and then if anyone does treat them correctly, their like "Oh no, don't worry about it, just doing what I love!", but even if all that is true, you should still treat people with common courtesy! Loved the message!
No content issues; Delores is unkind, but mostly by overlooking/ignoring not physically abusive.
March 7, 2018
Diva Dolores’ dilemma is that she could use help, but her helper is puny. Such a Dame of Drama should have an assistant befitting her station as she’s about to debut singing opera. She rejects her helpful mouse and even manages to insult him in true Diva style. Will Diva Dolores learn that greatness isn’t measured in size?
Laura Sassi’s (Author of Goodnight Art and Goodnight Manger) rhymes flow with ease befitting the musical setting, and humorous wit. Rebecca Gerlings (Who’s Under the Sea, Enormous, and many other books) illustrated this wonderful tale with energetic elegance befitting the words. This is a joyous ride to be ridden and read over and over.
Laura Sassi’s (Author of Goodnight Art and Goodnight Manger) rhymes flow with ease befitting the musical setting, and humorous wit. Rebecca Gerlings (Who’s Under the Sea, Enormous, and many other books) illustrated this wonderful tale with energetic elegance befitting the words. This is a joyous ride to be ridden and read over and over.
September 6, 2021
“You helped me, it’s true, but a mouse help a diva? That simply won’t do.”
Delores is new to the opera house; Fernando has worked their for years. Fernando loved “lending a paw at the Old Opera House.” But Delores is looking for someone bigger to help her; someone more worthy of her. She treats Fernando so badly that the mouse is ready to quit, but then he remembers Mozart, Puccini and Strauss and realizes that he must ensure that the opera show succeeds. His first move is standing up for himself with Delores.
Delores is new to the opera house; Fernando has worked their for years. Fernando loved “lending a paw at the Old Opera House.” But Delores is looking for someone bigger to help her; someone more worthy of her. She treats Fernando so badly that the mouse is ready to quit, but then he remembers Mozart, Puccini and Strauss and realizes that he must ensure that the opera show succeeds. His first move is standing up for himself with Delores.
November 21, 2018
Poor little opera house mouse. Diva Delores considers herself too important to be helped by a lowly mouse. But he has a passion for the opera and continues to try to help Diva Delores with her debut to keep it from being a disaster. And Diva Delores learns to accept help (does she learn that she is not more important than others? I don't know.).
February 9, 2018
What an absolutely gorgeous picture book! The fabulous fun rhyme with a sweet story of friendship, the lovely paper quality, the rich looking end pages, the spectacular cover with gold glitter on it, all make this a stand out book.
April 16, 2020
This is such a great story - in wonderful rhyme.
Diva Delores did not want to admit she needed help, as proud as she was, but the opera house mouse proved to her that he could make things much better for her performance.
Fun story with lovely illustrations.
Diva Delores did not want to admit she needed help, as proud as she was, but the opera house mouse proved to her that he could make things much better for her performance.
Fun story with lovely illustrations.
April 27, 2020
Read with second grade students to show very good rhyming and great use of story. I would use this as a rhyming mentor text. Lots of good word choice, great arc, good story about friendship and standing up for yourself, teamwork.
May 4, 2021
This is an awfully sweet picture book with a wonderful message written in perfect rhyme. The illustrations are enchanting and filled with fun details that will keep little ones engaged with the story.
August 18, 2021
I love Diva Delores! The illustrations are absolutely superb, and the book has so much musicality in its rhyme, very befitting of the opera house theme. The costumes and stage world are wonderful, as is the book's overarching message of respect and kindness for those around us.
September 16, 2018
What a wonderful story...beautiful illustrations and a great message!
September 19, 2018
Have you ever read a book that you just couldn't help but giggling while reading? This is that book for me. Delores is such a diva, she can do it ALL on her own....until she can't!
March 20, 2019
Great story and rhyme!
July 6, 2022
Love books by this author!!
February 21, 2023
Love love love this book! Great Author!!
December 27, 2018
Fernando (a mouse) wants to help Delores (seal) become an opera diva but Delores isn't having it. She thinks she deserves something bigger! Fernando perseveres, proving his usefulness again and again until Delores realizes she was wrong. A good titles for school visits, but a bit longish for preK I think.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews