A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole
Ages 9-12
Katherine Tegen Books (February 23, 2010)
Cautions: There are some scary parts and critters are chased and then eaten.

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I couldn’t put this book down. Although I am very sensitive to books with scary parts (I am related to some kids with no tolerance for scary bits), the violence is brief and not at all gratuitous. Since the story is about a little mouse who is looking for the perfect nest, you can imagine what happens when she meets up with cats and other predators. Thankfully, little Celeste has some wild adventures but manages to make friends and remain safe, happy and stuffed with food.

One aspect of this book that I loved was that two of the characters addressed the notion of having to kill animals to be able to paint or draw them. The book references Mr. Audubon and his assistant and readers can see the evolution of their thought process that it was more humane and natural to simply draw birds in their natural habitats than capture or kill them.

The story is compelling and the characters, both animal and human, are multidimensional and interesting. The author, Henry Cole, is also a talented illustrator who enhances the book with charming charcoal drawings.

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