Horn Book (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

In their latest adventure, Bear and Mole go camping, but Mole worries they'll get lost in the dark. Bear reassures Mole with a story about the First Bears making the moon and stars, including--in a dramatic vertical spread--the stationary First Star that guides creatures at night. Spacious art transitioning into a nighttime blue palette complements the simple text full of soothing repetition.

Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Bear and Mole go camping, but when the sky gets dark, Mole needs a reassuring story.Squat little Mole, with a round, bulbous nose, wants to sleep outdoors to "see the stars turn on." So Mole and Bear gather their camping gear and hike "UP, UP, UP"—while munching on berries: "YUM, YUM, YUM"—to the top of Camp Tiptop. But when they arrive, it is beginning to get dark, and Mole wants to go home. To settle his fears, Bear tells him a story of the earliest bear family. To combat the night's inky darkness, First Little Bear helps his mother shape white clay into the moon. Then First Little Bear scatters tiny white stones in the sky to become the stars. First Father Bear tries to push one, but it doesn't move. That star is the one constant—the titular First Star (or the North Star). Then, First Father Bear creates a "star picture" of First Little Bear in the sky, and First Star becomes his tail. Hillenbrand's warm, textured illustrations take on a gorgeous, luminous blue for the tale of the first bears, both text and stars glowing white against it. Of course, Mole delights in Bear's storytelling, and suddenly the darkness isn't so scary after all. The lack of backmatter on constellations represents a missed opportunity in an otherwise lovely book.A calming, nighttime addition to this adored duo's series. (Picture book. 3-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Unlikely best friends Bear and Mole-childlike and adorably dressed in patchy overalls-climb to Camp Tiptop to -see the stars turn on.- Through their caring, clear communication, Hillenbrand conveys the distinctive dynamics of the pair-s relationship. Once they sets up camp, Mole becomes anxious about the dark, so Bear tells him a legend of the -First Star,- with dreamlike, successive spreads showing -First Father Bear,- -First Mother Bear,- and -First Baby Bear- shaping the moon and stars from clay to light the dark night. Hillenbrand-s artwork exudes warmth-even as night falls and Bear and Mole are surrounded by deep, indigo blue. Hillenbrand offers a tender depiction of two friends on an adventure that is almost-but not quite-scary with a story within a story that will stir readers- imaginations. Ages 3-6. (May)