The plot sounds adorable, a little cat the turns a cheese shop into a restaurant. While short, this tale includes many characters and lays out a wonderful story.

What a cute story!

The Little Palace is set during world war I in a tiny island in the middle of the Seine. The characters were fun and the story was entertaining.

Lovely period piece unlike anything we commonly encounter in middle grade books! I loved the change in perspective of the story being told by the animals.

This tale is set in historical France (WWII). It follows Narcisse, a young cat that owns a restaurant called Le Minipalais in Paris meant to be a safe haven for other animals. In this short novel, you follow Narcisse and her friends as they navigate the war-torn world. Though this is aimed at kids it has a deep message and discusses the war and co-existence of both humans and animals.

Review for the Little Palace


Since this is a book generated towards kids and I am an adult, I will judge it accordingly. So the star rating I give for this book is scaled differently than that of an adult book.

If I had to choose an age group for this book I would say anywhere from 10-13, depending on the child. The overall moral of the story was a good one and was certainly driven home (and flat-out mentioned) multiple times during the story.

While the entire concepts of the book is adorable it does deal with a slightly deeper theme which is why I gave that reader age range.

What I liked most about this book was the fact that while it was geared towards a younger audience, it had historical facts throughout the book without it feeling forced. The main character of this book, named Narcisse, is adorable. And the twist filled happy ending is perfect for kids. Things aren't going to tun into the perfect happily ever after but it still leaves you with warm feelings.

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a lovely and whimsical tale of how the worst of times can bring creatures together to create the best of times. Set 100 years ago during WWI on an island in the middle of Paris, it tells the story of a young cat named Narcisse who happened to be a very talented chef. It seems at times of great strife animals and humans are able to converse with each other and understand what is being said. So, under these magical circumstances, Narcisse creates an oasis where species can come together in friendship to dine and share and find solace from the horrors of war.
There is a nucleus of animals, dogs, cats, even a bull and a goat, who form the heart of the place. Together they teach each other and the humans who are open to their lessons of living together in peace and harmony. It is a lesson they know will be lost once the Armistice takes place, when the ability to communicate will return to “normal” for the humans.
It is a story of loss and sadness but also hope and beauty. It is very moving at times and altogether satisfying. The characters are richly drawn and this book will teach and charm readers of all ages. It deserves five purrs and two paws up.

Sweet quirky tale about the animals of Paris running a restaurant during the First World War. Though simple, it has a lot of depth, and I don't know if I'd recommend it to younger readers, as it definitely has a bittersweet, adult tone, and requires a certain amount of knowledge of the early 20th century art scene in Paris to enjoy the pastiche. There's a lot of discussion of the nature of art, the camaraderie between animals, the meaning of love and kindness - it's very literary, and very much a depiction of a salon atmosphere, and has some very adult philosophising.

The chapters are episodic, with events like the mayor coming to dine at the restaurant, but each one moves the story onwards as well, and the characters grow and change across the book. There is some death, and some frank discussion of the horrors of war, so I have to say, I'm really struggling to see this as a middle grade book! It definitely isn't cutesy or upbeat and it is so weird to me to see these reviews of it as great for children. It's a smart, bittersweet pastiche that I would pitch more as an adult book. I enjoyed it, but I feel those being sold on it as 'kittens have zany times in a restaurant' will be very surprised.

Set in WW1 Paris, The Little Palace by Jeffrey Erlacher tells the story of Narcisse, a cat who turns an old cheese shop into a restaurant and a safe haven for other animals. Although this is a short novel (a little over 100 pages), it has a seeming plotline with a deep, underlying message as it discusses different opinions on war and the idea of co-existence (albeit it between humans and animals). Strangely enough, it reminded me vaguely of Animal Farm due to the anthropomorphism and there appears to be a clever allegory in the mix. Overall, it a nice quick read- I could see this one taught at elementary grade levels.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Zimbell House Publishing for providing a free ARC

A tale that warms your soul on reading is "The Little Palace." The tale is set on WWI where people and animals of Paris survive in the time of great need. This is the tale of brotherhood and braveness!

In the city of Paris lives kind and talented chef, Narcisse along with her well-wishers and friends. In the war-torn Paris, the little chef finds an old cheese shop deserted by the people. She along with her friends, transform the shop into a small but pleasant restaurant. She as the chef and along with two humans, they start to feed the people of Paris.

Her artistic friends are loyal visitors of Le Minipalais or The Little Palace. The motto in which the restaurant runs is highly appreciated by both humans and animals.

"THE EQUALITY OF FRATERNITY AND THE LIBERTY OF LIFE!"

The life of animals during the war, their friendship, valor and love towards one another is the incredible plot. The narration is exquisite. This is an enjoyable and moral read. Illustrations in the book are cute and lovable. Recommend the book to all.

Fun fact - There was a black cat named Narcisse who did live in a Paris restaurant for a time.

E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Thank you, Publisher!

Wonderful story for kids 3-6th grade, but anyone who loves fictional. anthropomorphic animal stories. I love books like this myself and I'm a grownup! Setting is during WW1, so it has some sad moments, but overall a lovely tale! I hope the author writes a sequel.

The Little Palace is a cute story set in Paris, France featuring animals as the main characters. Narcisse a cute cat owns a quaint restaurant called Le Minpalais in Paris, France. The story revolves around Narcisse, her artist friends, a dog named Guillaume, a tabby cat named Ezra and more. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Jeffrey Erlacher, NetGalley, and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book (for middle school children, from 8 to 12) is a gem! It is very well-written and easy enough to understand. It is original (as the main characters and the narrator are cats, kittens and toms!). The protagonists are
It is first and foremost an entertaining book but it is also quite educational as the reader keeps learning about the real Paris and its sights, landmarks, views and life, as well as about major historical periods such as WWII.
The characters, with their flaws and strenghts, are all endearing.
A novel which is bound to be loved by children and their parents alike!

This is a cute little story that takes place in a historical French setting and has animals as characters. Appealing to readers who range from around eight years old (if they're able to grasp the content and writing) to ten or eleven, this is a perfect light read in between heavier novels. It comes out in October, and if you like historical fiction or animal fiction, you might enjoy this book! I would give this book 3.5 stars but shall round it to four stars for the sake of the review.

'The Little Palace' is a hidden gem!

I'm fighting back tears as I write this review. I'm yet to recover from the wave of emotions that hit me so hard whilst I read the final few chapters of the book. I never expected it to impact me in such a profound way.

Set in a tiny island in the middle of the Seine, this book is about how Narcisse - Head chef, and businesscat managed to transform a dilapidated and abandoned cheese shop into the best restaurant in all of Paris called Le Minipalais --The Little Palace during the times of World War 1.

This book is perhaps the perfect ode to all the animals that served and lost their lives during The Great War. I don't think any author could weave such a beautiful story with a deep message. I loved each and every character. The way they conversed with each other, their perspectives about the war that ravaged the nation, the kinds of thoughts and opinions they had on the various aspects of life, it couldn't have been expressed any better. There is so much to learn from each of the characters and I felt that they were wise beyond their age. The concept of animals and humans shedding their differences aside and co-existing was very admirable. If that wasn't enough, the poetry enriched the flavor of the story even more. Right now, I'm so dejected that the story has finally come to an end. I wish to see more of the characters. I really want the author to consider the possibilities of turning this into a series. I half-expected him to have a military sort of background considering the depth with which he narrated about the emotional atmosphere that lingered in the war-torn nation. No matter how much I rave about this book, it would never be enough.

I request the fellow NetGalley members to give this book a chance so that it reaches a wider audience in the course of time and garner the due appreciation it deserves

A delightful middle school level book written from the viewpoint of animals (namely, cats). The father cat was the chef in Paris at a lovely restaurant where he told his kittens many stories of escapades of animals and humans in the City of Light. These kittens went on to enjoy many escapades of their own as they helped their human and kitty families.