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A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home (Nest for Celeste, 1) Paperback – Illustrated, February 21, 2012

by Henry Cole (Author, Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 444 ratings
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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 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.

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  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 2
    Nest for Celeste
  3. Print length
    352 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Lexile measure
    730L
  7. Dimensions
    1.1 x 5.2 x 7.1 inches
  8. Publisher
    Katherine Tegen Books
  9. Publication date
    February 21, 2012
  10. ISBN-10
    9780061704123
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0061704123
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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, who is Audubon’s apprentice?

Or is home the place deep inside Celeste’s heart, where friendships live?

About the Author

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children’s books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack’s Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside, where he can sketch and write. His favorite sound is the first robin song of the spring. You can visit him online at www.henrycole.net.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0061704121
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Katherine Tegen Books; Reprint edition (February 21, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780061704123
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061704123
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 730L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.1 x 5.2 x 7.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 444 ratings

About the author

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Henry Cole

Henry Cole

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Henry Cole is the celebrated illustrator of many books for children, including the Bad Boys series by Margie Palatini, and is also the author and illustrator of the novel A Nest for Celeste.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
444 global ratings
Horrifying
1 Star
Horrifying
I picked up this book from a little free library. It is a book about the slaughter of birds, with an attempt to buffer the horror with a cute mouse. Passenger pigeons were killed to extinction and Audubon did kill birds and then draw them, but do we need our kids suffering through that already? In addition, we see a dead rat, killed by the cat, just after the rat was involved in a conversation.
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Top reviews from the United States

AV_Therearenobadbooks
5.0 out of 5 stars A short portrait of an artist
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
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.
10 people found this helpful
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Susan Lockrey
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece that should win the Newbery Medal
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2010
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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.
68 people found this helpful
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C. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
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This fairytale book captures both the child and adult reader's attention. The author is very creative in his storytelling.
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M. Hanrahan
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful imagery!
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
Not only is the artwork throughout the story beautify, the author paints with words as well and you have additional pictures for your imagination. Loved the story. I bought this for my favorite "niece" who is 9 and decided I should probably read it before I gave it to her. Decided I needed to own a copy of the book myself so purchased another copy. Truly delightful and educational, as I didn't know much about Mr. Audobon.
One person found this helpful
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K. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is far more enchanting than any description! The author has a reverence for the great work of Mr. Audobon. The author's illustrations are so lovely and life-like. My children ages 9 to 11 months all gather for our reading of this special treat. I just love it!
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to escape into the world of these delightful creatures and their adventures.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
A fun book with delightful creature characters. I enjoyed getting immersed into their story filled with adventure in surroundings that were well described in words as well as in lovely drawings. I read several of this author’s books to check them out as gifts for my grandkids.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Nest for Celeste
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
This book is simply wonderful. To have a little mouse for a friend would be sweet, and for the little mouse to have her own human for a friend just a great story. Celeste makes friends with Joseph and a few birds and a couple of mean rats. I wish this book had been around when my child was young, and when my grandchildren were young. I think any child would like this book. I'm 67 and enjoyed it immensely. To learn about caring, giving of yourself, and loving, what a special little story.
One person found this helpful
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julia
5.0 out of 5 stars new appreciation for mice
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2022
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As an adult, I loved the adventures of Celeste. The thought of having a glimpse into Audibons life was fascinating.
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Top reviews from other countries

Lyndsay John
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
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. ☺️
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Rosemary Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2015
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A delightful book with amazing drawings throughout.
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Fern Boldt
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Story!
Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2020
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I collect mouse stories. This one is especially wonderful! I was surprised at the end that the characters were real people.
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