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A review by librariandest
A Nest for Celeste: A Story about Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole
2.0
In the style of [b:Hugo Cabret|67593|The Invention of Hugo Cabret|Brian Selznick|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170676646s/67593.jpg|527941], this book features large pencil drawings that complement the text. The drawings are really wonderful in their detail and, I think, the most enjoyable part of the book. I also liked the little mouse Celeste herself. Though she never really came alive on the page, what we saw of her was lovable, and her journey to find a home and a friend is compelling.
Ok, now I'm done being nice. I have to say, right off the bat I was not a fan of the second half of the title. It's a little tacky to hit readers over the head with the themes of the book right up front. There are some good post-colon descriptions in the history of titles that sing (e.g. [b:The Tale of Despereaux|37190|The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread|Kate DiCamillo|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168855193s/37190.jpg|1508178]) but they have some playfulness going on. Henry Cole's choice of title addendum is both insulting, and even worse, false advertising. This little book does not live up to its subtitle.
Furthermore, it's strange for a book that is mostly about adorable animals to have such a gruesome side to it. Apparently, John James Audobon killed, and in some cases practically tortured, his feathered subjects. Ugh. I don't know who to give this book to. It would be upsetting to the little kids who would love its cuteness. Kids old enough to handle the dark stuff might be turned off the preciousness of it.
Ok, now I'm done being nice. I have to say, right off the bat I was not a fan of the second half of the title. It's a little tacky to hit readers over the head with the themes of the book right up front. There are some good post-colon descriptions in the history of titles that sing (e.g. [b:The Tale of Despereaux|37190|The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread|Kate DiCamillo|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168855193s/37190.jpg|1508178]) but they have some playfulness going on. Henry Cole's choice of title addendum is both insulting, and even worse, false advertising. This little book does not live up to its subtitle.
Furthermore, it's strange for a book that is mostly about adorable animals to have such a gruesome side to it. Apparently, John James Audobon killed, and in some cases practically tortured, his feathered subjects. Ugh. I don't know who to give this book to. It would be upsetting to the little kids who would love its cuteness. Kids old enough to handle the dark stuff might be turned off the preciousness of it.