“A Nest for Celeste” by Henry Cole

A Nest for Celeste:
A Story About Art, Inspiration, & the Meaning of Home

by Henry Cole

Synopsis: 

A fanciful history lesson for middle graders, featuring a charming mouse named Celeste.

Celeste is a mouse who is looking for a home. Is it nestled in the toe of a warm boot? In the shirt pocket of Celeste’s new friend Joseph? Or is home the place deep inside Celeste’s heart, where friendships live?

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice. While enjoying this sweet amd [sic] appealing story, young readers will also learn about nineteenth-century plantation life and the famous naturalist who was known for his paintings of birds and American wildlife.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 7/10 hearts. This book. It is so, so beautiful and sweet. The illustrations are perfect, and the story is so whimsical! <3 (Note that there are some euphemisms and one place where Audubon swears in French). There are some lovely descriptions... of music and the world and the river... Joseph is a darling and I loved his interactions with Celeste. And Lafayette is so much fun. xD This is definitely a must-read for anyone and you will not regret purchasing it! (The hardcover version is beautiful and worth every penny).

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “[The thrush] hopped gracefully onto the dogwood branch, fluttering a little. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to sing.
“Out came the liquid, gurgling stream of silvery notes so sweet and fluid that Joseph dropped his pencils....
“The song, a mixture of sweetness and melancholy, swirled through the room like a cool breeze.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Well, there I was, mindin’ my own business, [...], had barely gotten any distance at all, and the next thing I know, BOOM! Some crazy maniac down in the yard is jumpin’ around and wavin’ his gun and laughin’! My wing missin’ some feathers, and down I go.’”

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Canada | America