The Bear and the Star, written by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. Greenwillow, Harper. 2019. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Bear stood and began his
search
for a tree -
a tree that would be strong,
a tree that would be tall,
a tree that would be the
center
of all to come.
And then, on the top of a
windswept hill, Bear found
the tree - "

Lola Schaefer centers her expressive, hushed book on the concept of peace in the world. It begins for Bear on a December morning with the sighting a new star - one not seen before. That star serves as a reminder to Bear that 'the time' has come. In so doing, Bear sets off on a quest to find the perfect tree - a tree that would be 'the center of all to come.'

When his search results in the desired object, Bear makes it known that all should gather. Sending his message to North, South, East and West, it is heard clearly everywhere. Animals join him as he takes his place beside the tree, and calls ever more loudly:

"As the star shined brighter,
Bear roared louder than before,
his voice booming
across mesa and meadow,
over sea and peak,
from cliff and bluff."

People put down what they are doing to join Bear and the other animals. It is time for everyone to come together in celebration of peace.

Bethanne Andersen's soft, textured oil paintings show a quiet gathering of the creatures of the world -animal and human - as they find a common place.  There is such reverence in each double page spread for all who quietly gather there to revel in the love and joy of the world.