First Star: A Bear and Mole Story (Will Hillenbrand)

Title:  First Star:  A Bear and Mole Story

Author: Will Hillenbrand

Illustrator:  Will Hillenbrand

Target Ages:  3-8

Genre:  Picture Book Fiction

Publisher Summary: 

Up, up, up climb Mole and Bear.  They are on the way to Camp Tiptop to see the stars.  But as the sun sets, Mole is scared.  What if they get lost in the dark?  Luckily, Bear has the perfect story to calm Mole’s fears. 

Later, the sky has its own surprise in store for the two campers.

First Lines:

Mole gazed up.

“May we sleep under the sky tonight?” asked Mole.

“I want to see the stars turn on.”

Memorable Moment:

Bear comforts Mole, “Dark is not so dark if you know where you are.”

Evaluation:

The cover art is adorable! It previews perfectly the theme—friends using their strengths to help each other out. 

A simple plot focuses on a camping trip.  Mole and Bear work together to pack up for the journey, to help each other out on the way up, to set up camp, and to spend the evening outdoors. 

The story within a story framework is utilized.  As night moves in, Mole is afraid of getting lost in the dark (a bit ironic for a mole).   To comfort him, Bear tells the story of how the moon and stars were added to the sky to give them light and direction. 

Hillenbrand’s signature illustrations use soft shades in contrast with bright colors.  The story moves from close up shots of the characters to sweeping views of the sky, emphasizing a strong intimacy of friends and family in the vast and spectacular universe.

These characters are memorable and endearing.  Bear has great physical strength, but he also is kind and gentle.  I love how he uses these qualities to help his small, meek friend, Mole feel safe and overcome his fears.  Overall, their friendship exemplifies the importance of using our strengths—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental—to help each other.   

First Star:  A Bear and Mole Story a sweet story of lasting friendship and overcoming fears.

Also, check out Hillenbrand’s Spring Is Here and Down by the Barn. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Literature:  Read other creation stories.  Compare and contrast them.  See Picture Book Connections.
• Writing:  Write an original creation myth about the moon and stars or something else in nature.
• Science:  Learn about the moon and its phrases.
• Life Skills:  Allow students to share their camping experiences. What supplies did they need?  What did they do on the trip?  How did they get around at night? 
• Field Trip:  Plan a camping trip (even one in the backyard).  Have the whole family (or class) determine what supplies are needed and pack them up together.  For a class, it could be a picnic outside school. 

Picture Book Connections (Creation Stories and Myths):

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

This heartwarming modern folktale explains how the moon ends up in the sky—as well as the reason for its phases. 

The Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt

Creation begins when Atum, the god child, emerges from the bud of a lotus. Stories build off his family that explain how the world and other gods came to be.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from Ashanti

When Anansi falls into trouble, his six sons come to the rescue. This trickster tale explains the origin of the moon. 

Why the Sun & Moon Live in the Sky

The story explains why the moon and her children the stars only appear at night when Sun is not around.

Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky: An African Folktale
Like the aforementioned story, the origin of the moon in the sky is explained.

The Woman who Fell from the Sky: The Iroquois Story of Creation
As a sky woman falls from a floating island high in the sky, she creates the earth, creatures, and sky. 

Piecing Earth and Sky Together: A Creation Story from the Mien Tribe of Laos
A brother and sister duo from heaven make a bet.  The brother weaves a majestic sky while the sister a glorious earth. When they put them together, the world is created. 

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