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

Great story with wonderful illustrations!

As someone who has loved the great anthropomorphizing stories - Kenneth Grahame, E.B.White, George Selden, Robert O'Brien, Tor Seidler etc - I was naturally drawn to this book when told about it. Having a young daughter named Celeste made it even more attractive. And finally, to discover that it was extensively illustrated with many double-page spreads used as backdrops to the text whetted my appetite even more. Couldn't resist, so I bought it. And what a good thing I did. This is a modern classic. It is utterly wonderful. The astonishing suite of drawings matches anything done by Garth Williams, Ernest Shepherd and Fred Marcellino, and the story manages deftly to avoid the all-too-easy sentimental drivel that so many 'animal stories' disintegrate into. Its natural history detailing is a delight, the recreation of Audubon's biography is effortlessly achieved and the sub-group of other animals is completely convincing. For a book of this nature, with the extraordinary amount of work involved in producing 350 pages most of which are illustrated could have been a case of 'all very impressive but sadly rather dull'. But happily in Henry Cole's case, the inspiration completely dominates the perspiration. It is overwhelmingly an enchantment above all else, and so much better for it. As for the criticism by another critic of its poor quality paper, they need to see a psychiatrist. The paper in fact is of a lovely light quality and attractively deckle-edged. Two and a half year old children will rip any paper, even one reinforced with steel. My Celeste, at five, only now respects the physical properties of a book, and as a bibliophile, let me tell you, I've tried! This book should be a candidate for the Newbery Medal. It's a marvel. A true marvel.

The author gives us the experience of what it might have been like when John James Audubon and his assistant Joseph stayed with a family. Audubon was an American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter who made extensive drawings and paintings of many american birds in their natural environment. This story portraits what life might had been before cameras and technology, therefore it is realistic and explains that most of the times the artist shot and used pins and wire to fabricate poses so he could take his time to paint them. The book becomes a valuable document that shows how things were different before. The writing is great and I couldn't put it down. This is a sweet story of Celeste a little mouse and friendship. Celeste lives in the same house where Audubon is staying for a while to paint his birds. Celeste has to deal with bully mice, a cat but is also rewarded with friendship with other birds and even with Joseph. It also makes you think about loss. Would you rather have not known a friend for a short time to avoid the pain of loss or would you rather remember the sweet short moments of happiness. The illustrations are delightful and I might get my hands on a hardcover instead of a Kindle version for that when it's possible.

Bought this for my seven year old grandaughter, but have been reading it to my 2.5 year old grandson. It is a good story and the illustrations are even better. For the two year old, I have to skip a little of the story to get to more thrilling parts, but for the most part it holds his attention. Know my 7 year old grandaughter will love it. Has enough pictures to make it fun and several full page verbage to make it feel "grown-up." The pages are very fragile and should not be handled carelessly. Tear easily as my grandson ripped one while trying to turn it. He was upset because he tore it. A normal page would not have torn with his action. This is the only reason the book doesn't get 5 stars.

A beautifully illustrated mouse adventure... what's not to like?

This is a precious story about a sweet, helpful little mouse. It’s fun to read about her friends and adventures, while at the same time, learning a history lesson. It’s a lovely book to share with children.

A dear, sweet book. Just lovely. Thank you!

What a delightful way to introduce children to a famous ornithologist. All of the characters make mistakes to be corrected, with lessons learned and built upon. Beauty, wisdom, love of nature and home are wonderfully woven throughout. Henry Cole is masterful in his art and craft.

The illustrations in this book are great! I thought I was buying a picture book, but it is actually quite thick, with chapters. I gave it to my nine-year-old daughter for Christmas instead of to my two-year-old son. ☺️

A delightful book with amazing drawings throughout.

I collect mouse stories. This one is especially wonderful! I was surprised at the end that the characters were real people.