Another Quest for Celeste

Celeste #2

by Henry Cole

Celebrated author and illustrator Henry Cole uses stunningly detailed black-and-white artwork to illuminate a tale of friendship between an adventurous mouse and a boy who would become one of America’s greatest presidents, in this beautiful paperback.  This chapter book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 7 to 9 who are reading independently. It’s a fun way to keep your child engaged and as a supplement for activity books for children. Celeste is hundreds of miles from home following an unexpected journey aboard a Mississippi steamboat. After mishaps and disasters, she finds herself on the frontier in southern Indiana. It's 1822, and Celeste meets a tall, lanky boy wielding an a young Abraham Lincoln. The journey reveals the harsh realities of frontier life for the Lincoln family. But with the help of Celeste’s new woodland animal friends and some creativity, she may just prove that even the littlest creatures can make a big difference. And it’s in losing her way that Celeste finds herself in a place she never expected—home, finally. Praise for A Nest for Celeste : “Evocative illustrations, compelling characters, and thoughtful reflections on the nature of home combine to powerful effect.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A rare a novel with artwork as whole and vital as a picture book’s.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile

288 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2020

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 Nesting, Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack's Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside where he can sketch and write.

Reviews

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute story with Celeste!
This time our mousy historical fiction has us hanging out with a young honest Ab.
While it started off kind of abrupt it ended up coming together and being really sweet.
The illustrations are just as wonderful as they were in the first book, and we get many more animal friends for Celeste in this one.
I hope the author decides to do other adventures for Celeste.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS
2018; Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Canada
(Review Not on Blog)

Please note that this the second book in the series (not sure if it will be a series or if this is just a sequel). Celeste, the mouse, continues her journey around America in the pockets of young boys who will one day be famous. In this book, she meets young Abe Lincoln along with a mouse family that she finds herself apart of and maybe found her home. I love the sweet story, mixed with real history, and the pencil sketches. A great book for any home library and bedtime.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!

Note: some of the characters occasionally use words like 'dang' and 'heck.'

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.


Such a cute little book and so much fun to read. The illustrations are amazing. I really like this author and will be reading more of this work.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

60%

This felt a bit dull and dumbed-down compared to the first, which was greatly disappointing, as I was quite charmed by it. I read some of the reviews for the first, and it seems a lot of people were complaining that it was simultaneously too complex and too cute, making it difficult to determine what age-group its intended audience was. I guess the author aimed it for the younger audience and chose to reflect that in the sequel. This book felt very linear and contained a lot less whimsy.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat how Celeste meets different animals who help her on her journey and some who don't and try to eat her (the Cats she meets). Very fun and loving story.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Quest for Celeste, with the main character, as a non-human. Has a charm, that allows the read another point of view than that of how we as humans see the world. Either way in this book there comes situations quite similar to that of the real world. For an example, where the Celeste, the mouse, also the main character wanders out of her safe boundary she gets carried away from her home happens to meet Rosebud, a dog who dies due to old age saves her and protects her even though they aren't family; for a short time look after each other. This also happens to family and friends. For an example, a kid’s parent may have a fatal accident and the kid may have to live with a friend or relative, either elderly or young, they are placed into a home which is supposed to care for them as they start a new part of their life. I feel like the journey Celeste encountered, helped her to develop as a mouse and strengthened her skills to survive. Now I’m aware that not all journeys have such a positive outlook compared to Celeste. But, in my opinion, it really touches your heart. Being alone, or stranded, to find friends and a new home with a new start really impacts me as a reader, as I could relate to some of these hardships. The saddest thing about this book to me was when Rosebud died. That really hit me when Rosebud made the sacrifice of trying to get Celeste off the boat when she could no longer move her feet. I would really recommend this book because you may find that you can relate the book in more ways than you think.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

ANOTHER QUEST FOR CELESTE is told from the point of view of a mouse named Celeste. One day, she gets swept away from her home and is thrown onto a steamboat with some apples. Celeste is terrified and doesn't know how she's going to get home, but then she meets Rosebud, an old, three-legged dog. They find comfort in each other's company until the ship crashes and sinks.

Next, Celeste finds herself in a forest and meets all kinds of new friends, like beavers and squirrels. she learns new things from them and is taught about the danger of the upcoming winter. But before it gets too cold, Celeste is discovered by a young Abe and finds herself enjoying her new home with him.

ANOTHER QUEST FOR CELESTE teaches that home is where you find happiness and love. It was interesting to see everything from a mouse's POV and makes you think of things differently. This was an interesting take on if Abraham Lincoln would've discovered and kept a pet mouse. The illustrations were also black and white and beautifully detailed.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to those who like animals and history. I liked the Abe Lincoln factor and how it shows what his days might've been like.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so glad to discover there was another book about Celeste. The subtitle, "A story about Abe Lincoln, Honesty and the Power of Friendship" describes a lot of what this book is about. After being washed about from her first home in A Nest for Celeste, this book take her from bales of cotton to a steamboat on the Mississippi to the woods of Indiana. She meets woodland friends that take her in and show her around their part of the forest. As she learns about winter (something she's never experienced before) she begins to understand her friends activities to collect and store food. She begins to do the same, only to have her house chopped about apart for firewood. Lucky for Celeste, the woodsman is kind and supplies here with a new home in his pocket. That's how Celeste meet Abe. Readers will be satisfied to know that Celeste has found a place to stay and be of use. Celeste is more than a mere mouse.

[A.W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish more chapter books for children had beautiful drawings such as those in A Nest for Celeste and Another Quest for Celeste. Lovely stories, and I love historic fiction, but my child was very saddened at the conclusion of the first book at the departure of Joseph & Celeste being unable to say goodbye. Then ecstatic to know there was a sequel, then sad again to realize Joseph would not be coming back. And then the dog character my child fell in love with dies complete with illustration :-/

[JMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little mouse on an accidental adventure meets young Abraham Lincoln, and a heartwarming tale of friendship and kindness ensues, accompanied by charming illustrations. My only negative comment is a common gripe for me – must all books for youngsters now include a tragic element? Still, young readers (grades 3-4) will enjoy these further adventures of Celeste.

[Susan Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork was enchanting. The story was...all over the board. Friendships, tragedy, nature, responsibility - all there. The story was alright, but if you don't like the artwork, could fall a bit thin. Ok read aloud perhaps.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one even more than the first! My 5yo ended up wanting to read it as a bedtime book, even though I hadn't thought she was very interested by the prequel. She, my husband, and I all really enjoyed this one.

[MaryHelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Cole’s illustrations enhance the feelings of Celeste. A surprise adventure beginning with uncertainty but ends with a richer life. I love how Abraham Lincoln was weaves into the story. Loved this book as I did with A Nest for Celeste.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a read-aloud for first graders. They enjoyed it. We study the presidents, so it was a great tie-in for them. It’s a very slow moving and gentle book with beautiful illustrations. We also stopped to talk about vocabulary and some historical aspects.

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 - Better than the first book. Review to come.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Celeste story just as much as the first one, and the artwork is so lovely. I hope another adventure is forthcoming.

[Sharie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young mg book. Quick read with lots of drawings. Chapters are almost like short quests within the overall quest.

[Amanda Zayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most adorable story with the most amazing illustrations.

[John Bohnert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy reading Henry Cole's charming books.
His illustrations make them very special.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Celeste becomes separated during her evening excursion, she finds herself traveling away from the safety of her home. As the wagon of cotton completes it's journey, Celeste realizes that she must get off of the wagon in order for her friends to find her. While she scurries away from the busy loading platform... and all of those feet and cats, she locates an apple crate in which she could hide. With high hopes, Celeste is awaiting her friends rescue.

Unfortunately, that apple crate is loaded on a Mississippi steamboat. With an amazing stroke of luck, she encounters a gentle-souled dog who isn't interested in eating a mouse. Rosebud watches over Celeste as the steamboat begins sinking. Getting to shore is paramount for Celeste.

Once on shore, Celeste finds a new home in a tree. It wasn't as nice as her room at home, yet it was dry and secure. Or so she thinks. Celeste will meet new forest friends and one young boy with an axe.

This beautifully crafted journey of forest critters and a young boy, who is destined to be America's President, will provide delightful "storytime" memories again and again!
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[BookSweetie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming Sequel to a juvenile book I haven’t read— so this can certainly stand alone. Celeste the mouse ends up far far far from home. After meeting welcoming and helpful new friends including young Abe Lincoln, she survives her first snow season and expands her meaning of home.

Henry Cole (born in Virginia in 1955, raised on a dairy farm, later studied forestry) the American writer and illustrator, has a distinctive style of detailed drawings in this chapter book that are similar to the exquisite detailed realistic nature pencil drawings in the picture books of his that I’ve previously encountered.

[Kendal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby mostly read this book aloud to me, but I read some of it aloud to her to help move it along. She had to read it for her school book club and it was due this week. She gave it 5 stars. I thought it was 3.5. It was the perfect level for her. There were enough pictures sprinkled throughout the book to keep her interested, and the story moved along quickly with adventures and interesting facts about life in the early 1800s.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Young mouse Celeste gets unexpectedly taken from her home and finds herself going north on the Mississippi in a river boat. When the steamboat wrecks, Celeste must find a way to survive. She makes new friends and further explores the world.

This a quick sweet novel complete with beautiful illustrations and adventures.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Another Quest for Celeste” is the sequel to “A Nest for Celeste” which is a marvelous story. “Another Quest...” is an clever follow on story that would be a great starting point for learning about the Mississippi River or Abraham Lincoln. As with “A Nest for Celeste” “Another Quest for Celeste” makes a great multi-age read-aloud and it is full of beautiful illustrations. I recommend it.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful upbuilding children's story about a little mouse with a big heart, who loves adventure and helping others. Celeste is a delightful character who encourages caring, and never letting obstacles stand in your way, no matter what your size is!

[Leslie Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are lovely and parts of the story are very entertaining.

[Aviara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed! SWEET book. Great choices for vocabulary words....

[Vicki Huizenga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read aloud story for families. Amazing illustrations.

[Adalynn Grace Ebejer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not stop reading it!!!!! It is kinda sad though 😔😞☹️