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By Henry Cole Who knew we had a delightful little mouse named Celeste to thank for the best of Audubon's work? Celeste is a small orphaned mouse, living in a big plantation house, all alone, except for two rat bullies who take her hard-found food. In her small home in a dark tunnel, she is content however, because she spends her days weaving beautiful baskets from different grasses, decorating them with feathers and shells. But when she is chased by the cat onto the staircase balustrade she adventures to the higher floors of the house and into the bigger life happening there. A very special guest, John Audubon is visiting this house, exploring the landscape and catching birds as models for his drawings. Joseph, his young assistant, befriends Celeste. He feeds and loves her and makes a home for her in his pocket while he and Mr. Audubon do their work. Celeste objects to Mr. Audubon's' artistic method; he shoots down his models first and draws them later! She conspires with her bird friends to inspire the naturalists to draw the truly "life-like" portraits we have come to think of when we think of Audubon. But while Celeste defines such big ideas as Art, Friendship and Home, her story is still that of life on the ground for a very small, sweet animal. She braves a flood, takes flight in a basket, uses her wits to fight off bullies, all with a little help from her friends. Best of all, she discovers what gives a house the warmth of home. Reviewed by Vivian |
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