Birdie and the blizzard

One day, Birdie travelled a long way to visit her friend Rosy.

But the weather turned very cold. Snowflakes started to fall thick and fast.

Rosy looked worried. "It's a blizzard," she said.

When Birdie visits her friend Rosy, a blizzard traps them in the house! Birdie and the blizzard is a story to help young children:

  • learn about snowstorms and extreme cold weather
  • learn how to stay warm in cold weather
  • work through scary or sad feelings
  • have fun when they must stay at home
  • understand they will feel safe and happy again.

Birdie and the blizzard

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Videos

Watch the animation of Birdie and the blizzard

Duration: 03:51

Transcript

This is Birdie.

One day, Birdie travelled a long way to visit her friend Rosy.

"Hello, Birdie," Rosy said. "Come inside."

That night, the weather turned very cold. A strong wind began to blow outside.

Snowflakes started to fall, thick and fast.

Rosy looked worried. "It's a blizzard," she said. "I hope the wind doesn't break my tree."

Birdie tried to call her friend Mr Frog. But the phone didn't work. And then the lights went out!

"Some power lines must have fallen down," Rosy said. "Let's sleep maybe the storm will be over in the morning."

The wind howled all night. Birdie and Rosy couldn't sleep. They huddled together under a pile of blankets, trying to get warm.

"I don't like this," said Birdie. "I'm cold and the wind is so noisy. I'm scared!"

"I know you're not used to cold weather, Birdie," Rosy said kindly. "But if we look after each other we'll be okay."

In the morning, the light still didn't work. Wind roared through the branches of Rosy's tree. Snow kept blowing against the door.

Rosy made a fire. "We need to stay warm," she said.

They watched the news. There was ice on the roads and snow in the wind. It was too dangerous for people to drive cars. Birdie and Rosy couldn't go out and no-one could come to visit them.

"This feels sad," said Birdie. "I'm sorry your visit isn't much fun so far," said Rosy. "What can we do to stay cheerful?"

They drew colourful pictures and did fun puzzles.

They built a blanket fort and pretended to be on an island.

They play drums and danced.

"At least playing helps us keep warm," Birdie said.

The blizzard went on all the next day, and the next, and the next.

One morning when Birdie woke up, everything was quiet.

"The wind has stopped blowing." whispered Rosy." That's wonderful!" said Birdie. "The storm is over."

But when they opened the door...

"We can't get out!" Birdie wailed. "We'll be stuck in here forever!"

"It will take a lot of work," Rosy said. "But we can tunnel out."

They dug and dug.

"Listen!" said Rosy. "Can you hear someone else digging?"

"Hello!" said Rosy's neighbour. "We're going around the neighbourhood, clearing the path to each person's front door. Would you like to help?"

Birdie and Rosy were so happy to see the helpers.

Sometimes a blizzard goes on for days. But every storm ends.

And while they wait Birdie and her friends take care of each other.

Watch the Auslan translation of Birdie and the blizzard

Duration: 03:50

Transcript

This is Birdie.

One day, Birdie travelled a long way to visit her friend Rosy.

"Hello, Birdie," Rosy said. "Come inside."

That night, the weather turned very cold. A strong wind began to blow outside.

Snowflakes started to fall, thick and fast.

Rosy looked worried. "It's a blizzard," she said. "I hope the wind doesn't break my tree."

Birdie tried to call her friend Mr Frog. But the phone didn't work. And then the lights went out!

"Some power lines must have fallen down," Rosy said. "Let's sleep maybe the storm will be over in the morning."

The wind howled all night. Birdie and Rosy couldn't sleep. They huddled together under a pile of blankets, trying to get warm.

"I don't like this," said Birdie. "I'm cold and the wind is so noisy. I'm scared!"

"I know you're not used to cold weather, Birdie," Rosy said kindly. "But if we look after each other we'll be okay."

In the morning, the light still didn't work. Wind roared through the branches of Rosy's tree. Snow kept blowing against the door.

Rosy made a fire. "We need to stay warm," she said.

They watched the news. There was ice on the roads and snow in the wind. It was too dangerous for people to drive cars. Birdie and Rosy couldn't go out and no-one could come to visit them.

"This feels sad," said Birdie. "I'm sorry your visit isn't much fun so far," said Rosy. "What can we do to stay cheerful?"

They drew colourful pictures and did fun puzzles.

They built a blanket fort and pretended to be on an island.

They play drums and danced.

"At least playing helps us keep warm," Birdie said.

The blizzard went on all the next day, and the next, and the next.

One morning when Birdie woke up, everything was quiet.

"The wind has stopped blowing." whispered Rosy." That's wonderful!" said Birdie. "The storm is over."

But when they opened the door...

"We can't get out!" Birdie wailed. "We'll be stuck in here forever!"

"It will take a lot of work," Rosy said. "But we can tunnel out."

They dug and dug.

"Listen!" said Rosy. "Can you hear someone else digging?"

"Hello!" said Rosy's neighbour. "We're going around the neighbourhood, clearing the path to each person's front door. Would you like to help?"

Birdie and Rosy were so happy to see the helpers.

Sometimes a blizzard goes on for days. But every storm ends.

And while they wait Birdie and her friends take care of each other.

You can watch other Birdie's Tree videos in our resources section.

How to support your child in a natural disaster

Read our natural disaster resilience resources for more help.

More Birdie's Tree books

Buy a copy

Buy a print copy of Birdie and the blizzard for $10 plus shipping using our online order form.

You can buy hand puppets of Birdie and Mr Frog for $15 each plus shipping.

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Publishing information

Published:  2022

Author: Andrea Baldwin

Illustrator: Anil Tortop

Format: e-book, paperback

ISBN: 9781922726155

Last updated: May 2025

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