A review by lenoirleon
A Nest for Celeste: A Story about Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole

3.0

I read this book because I will be working with the battle of the books team at my elementary school this year. Another teacher, who has worked with the team for several years, had mentioned that the books this year weren't great. However, I know that we have differing opinions on one of my favorites ([b:A Wrinkle in Time|33574273|A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)|Madeleine L'Engle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507963312s/33574273.jpg|948387]) so I decided to give these books a try.
Unfortunately, if the rest of the books are similar to this one, I'll have to agree. The concept of A Nest for Celeste is cute. It introduces children to James Audubon through the eyes of a sweet mouse character. But that's where the cuteness stops. I was not aware of Audubon's methods of obtaining his wonderful portraits and now I'm a bit disturbed about how popular his work has been through out several centuries. While I don't feel that books should shy away from topics that have traditionally been presented to older audiences, I don't believe this book was the place for showing how Audubon either tortured or killed his subjects just to get a lovely rendition.
I also had difficulties with how Celeste's fellow characters all ended leaving her in some shape or form.

Spoiler

The fellow rodents died in various ways. The birds had to migrate. Joseph left.

I understand that life happens, but for a book that seems meant to be a sweet middle grade historical fiction type book, this one left me wanting.