Review: A Nest for Celeste

Celeste is a little mouse living in the basement of a plantation home in Louisiana.  She’s being terrorized by two rats and is forced to go to the dining room to hunt for food.  The family cat spies her and poor Celeste is forced to flee farther upstairs.  That actually turns out to be a good thing, though, because she finds a home with Joseph Mason, John James Audubon’s assistant.  (Audubon is tutoring the family’s daughter, so that he, and his assistant, can work on their paintings.)  Celeste goes on several adventures, learns a little about Audubon’s painting and learns to value friendships.

A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole is a darling middle grade historical fiction book.   There is a little about Audubon throughout the story and the afterword tells even more about him and his methods.  I think the action and adventure will appeal to young readers, too.

The suggested reading age is 8 to 12 years old or grades 3 to 7, but I think it will appeal to the younger part of that range.  I think younger children may need some help with the book, but they will probably enjoy it too.

A Nest for Celeste is illustrated by the author, and oh, what a beautiful job he does!  Although this panel never appears in the book, it shows off the drawings wonderfully.

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This book was given to me by the publisher at the SIBA Trade Show.   I am an Amazon Associate.