The Five Star Bears by Ila France Porcher

In a remote Canadian valley, a wildlife artist and her husband face a terrifying ordeal when forest fires drive fifteen bears out of the mountains, seeking refuge near the artist's home. Their presence sparks suspicion in a nearby religious community that has long labelled the artist a ‘witch.’ Seizing on this as justification, the community unleashes a campaign of fear and violence, rallying around a hunting lobbyist who insists the bears must be killed. This story exposes how authoritarian mindsets and religious fundamentalism fuel aggression toward those seen as ‘different’—where anyone can be branded a ‘witch’ and made a target. Through desperate efforts to protect the bears, the book highlights the devastating consequences of misunderstanding both nature and those who defend it. Each bear, shown as an individual with a painted portrait, stands as a testament to the need for coexistence and an end to hunting as wildlife faces increasing peril.