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A review by alyssahedge
A Nest for Celeste: A Story about Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole
4.0
I thought is was sad in the end. I think it was cute how Celeste made lots of new friends. I thought it was sad what happened to her family. I liked the part when she found Joseph. I don't think it was nice what Mr. Audubon did with the birds at all.
-- review by Quinn, 6.75 years old
My review:
The real world is hard and maybe that is why I prefer fantasy. I had a hard time with this book...it made me think of Charlotte's Web. Let me start by saying that our heroine lives in the end. But through the book we encounter many highs and lows of this sweet mouse. She is bullied by rats, nearly drowned in a thunderstorm, almost killed by a cat, but her bully meets that fate instead, and witnesses birds being shot or one who dies in captivity at the hands of Mr. Audubon who likes to pose his subjects utilizing rigor mortis or pins.
It sounds awful, right? At the same time, there are wonderful creatures that Celeste meets on her adventures and many ways that we see friendship and love at work. She uses lots of ingenuity in challenging situations and I loved her basket making skills. We also see how this little mouse could be a part of changing how Mr. Audubon created his art without harming the birds.
I wasn't so happy with the ending as it felt a bit punted where this bird just shows up right at the end and makes a tidy bow. However, it does drive home the point that friends come and go, but the memories of their adventures will always warm your heart. And there are new friends to be made.
Quinn is in a place of finding her resilience. She is not always very transparent about her feelings, so it can be hard to tell. Nevertheless, while reading this book, she would mention that a part was sad and she would want to chat about it(isn't it sad that this happened or that he does is that way, etc.). She would then be ready move on and hear more and continue the book. And clearly she rated it 4 stars so she liked it.
Somehow I think it was harder for me. Can't Celeste be safe and cozy for just a little while?!? Maybe I need to work on my resilience? :-) If you do read this to your little one, be prepared for the way Mr. Audubon does his bird paintings because that is factual and was alarming to me. I did not know that part of his autobiography.
If you are looking for a natural adventure that isn't tugging so hard on your heart strings, I would say read The Night Fairy instead. If you are looking for something that is a mix of the dangers of being a small animal, sweet friendships and small joys, how art is subjective in many ways...give this a try. Probably two stars from me.
-- review by Quinn, 6.75 years old
My review:
The real world is hard and maybe that is why I prefer fantasy. I had a hard time with this book...it made me think of Charlotte's Web. Let me start by saying that our heroine lives in the end. But through the book we encounter many highs and lows of this sweet mouse. She is bullied by rats, nearly drowned in a thunderstorm, almost killed by a cat, but her bully meets that fate instead, and witnesses birds being shot or one who dies in captivity at the hands of Mr. Audubon who likes to pose his subjects utilizing rigor mortis or pins.
It sounds awful, right? At the same time, there are wonderful creatures that Celeste meets on her adventures and many ways that we see friendship and love at work. She uses lots of ingenuity in challenging situations and I loved her basket making skills. We also see how this little mouse could be a part of changing how Mr. Audubon created his art without harming the birds.
I wasn't so happy with the ending as it felt a bit punted where this bird just shows up right at the end and makes a tidy bow. However, it does drive home the point that friends come and go, but the memories of their adventures will always warm your heart. And there are new friends to be made.
Quinn is in a place of finding her resilience. She is not always very transparent about her feelings, so it can be hard to tell. Nevertheless, while reading this book, she would mention that a part was sad and she would want to chat about it(isn't it sad that this happened or that he does is that way, etc.). She would then be ready move on and hear more and continue the book. And clearly she rated it 4 stars so she liked it.
Somehow I think it was harder for me. Can't Celeste be safe and cozy for just a little while?!? Maybe I need to work on my resilience? :-) If you do read this to your little one, be prepared for the way Mr. Audubon does his bird paintings because that is factual and was alarming to me. I did not know that part of his autobiography.
If you are looking for a natural adventure that isn't tugging so hard on your heart strings, I would say read The Night Fairy instead. If you are looking for something that is a mix of the dangers of being a small animal, sweet friendships and small joys, how art is subjective in many ways...give this a try. Probably two stars from me.