While Gearóid Gaoth is hard at work on his wind farm, his friends Gábhan Grian, Tríona Tuar Ceatha, Síle Sneachta, Fearghal Fearthainn, Conn Cloichshneachta, and Seán Scamall are working hard too ― planning a surprise party for their pal. Always kind and inclusive, they’ve taken a chance on inviting na Truailleáin too. As they look back on their own birthdays throughout the year, they describe the various seasons, making this a lovely way to introduce this early learning topic to young kids.
“Tá Gearóid Gaoth an-ghnóthach, ag obair ar Fheirm na Gaoithe ar fad.
Tá cuid mór le déanamh aige, tá na tuirbini gaoithe ina stad.
Tá a chairde ag déanamh pleananna, ag obair le chéile le fonn.
Inniu lá breithe Ghearóid, agus tá cóisir rúnda ag dul a bheith ann.
An geimhreadh, an t-earrach, an samhradh, an fómhar, ceithre shéasúr sa bhliain.
Labhraionn na Weatherbies ar a laethanta breithe, agus na séasúir is fearr leo féin.”
Gearóid Gaoth agus a Lá Breithe is the sixth book in the Na Weatherbies series of curriculum-aligned picture books that use these lovable weather characters to make it easy for young children to remember key concepts about the world around us. It models pro-social behaviours such as compassion, nurturing friendships and taking care of the planet.
This book is also available in English as Willy Wind’s Birthday Surprise. Choose one book or get the pair for parallel learning or shared reading in mixed-language groups.
Key Features
Engaging eco story by Yvonne Fleming for ages 2–6
Colourful pictures by James Salenga to enthral little ones
Lovable, memorable characters modelling pro-social behaviours and values for young readers
Aligned to The World Around Us and other key Areas of Learning in the Early Years and Foundation Stage curriculum
Aligned to the four Aistear Early Childhood Curriculum Framework themes of wellbeing, identity and belonging, communicating, and exploring and thinking
Aligned to 12 global Eco Schools themes
Created by The Weatherbies Ltd, UK STEM Ambassadors, the official Early Years partners of Eco Schools NI and partners of Twinkl NI
Entertainment and education for young children
Written by Yvonne Fleming and illustrated by James Salenga, the colourful picture books in the Weatherbies series are perfect for introducing eco topics and other concepts to Early Years Foundation Stage children. Na Weatherbies are a lovable community of friends who live, learn and play in the wonderful world of Skytown. Through their interactions with the world around them, each other, and the pesky Truailleáin, the Weatherbies gang teach pro-social behaviours and values such as co-operation and responsibility.
Language, music and learning
The book series is also available in English, and can be used as parallel texts, for children reading them side by side, or for non-Irish-speaking parents to read along with children learning Irish.
Learning is easier when music is involved! Kids can sing along with accompanying song Amhrán Na Séasúir on streaming platforms. The album Foinn Éicea by Na Weatherbies le Clare Galway, has a whole host of new eco-topical songs such as Cuir sa Bruscair É, Ag Athsholáthar Cumhachta ar Dhóigh Nádúrtha, Is Maith Athchúrsáil a Dhéanamh and many more.
Deepen the learning from the book with the Na Séasúir episode of the companion series Topaicí Spraoi leis na Weatherbies, available on BBC Gaeilge’s online platform.
Trusted educational partnerships
The Weatherbies are the official Early Years partners for Eco Schools NI, part of the global Eco Schools network delivering the Eco Schools programme by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), one of the world's largest environmental education organisations. The book series and companion materials are aligned to the global Eco Schools themes of biodiversity & nature, climate change, energy, food, global citizenship, health & wellbeing, litter, marine & coast, school grounds, transport, waste, and water. Access the full range of resources to go with this book on the Weatherbies website.
The Weatherbies are UK STEM Ambassadors, are partnered with global teaching resource providers Twinkl and are learner members of Learnovate in Trinity College Dublin.
Yvonne Fleming is a wife, mother, childminder, and children's author who created The Weatherbies from a passion for doodling on paper. Whilst sitting in the garden colouring with the children on a sunny day, she looked up at the sky and began sketching weather formations. Inspired by the much-loved environmentally friendly books and TV show The Wombles, Yvonne wanted to help children form a stronger connection with the weather they see and feel every day. By personifying weather formations, she believes children can be encouraged to take an active interest in climate awareness and sustainability.
Yvonne gave her new characters names and began inventing little stories for her own young children and the others she cared for. She called her creations The Weatherbies ― Sammy Sun, Rosie Rainbow, Colin Cloud, Ronny Rain, Flo Snow, Willy Wind, Barry Star, Harry Hail, Tommy Thunder, the Lightning Twins, and Mary Moon – and introduced the Pollutants to provide teachable moments for young children.
With growing demand for Irish-language versions of these lovable characters, Yvonne, musician husband Peter and graphic designer son Steven set about creating books, songs and Fun Topic videos as Gaeilge, landing an Irish distribution deal with Áis and a licensing deal with the BBC for its BBC Gaeilge online education platform. And so Na Weatherbies made their debut, with the stories retold as Gaeilge, featuring Gabhan Grian, Triona Tuar Ceatha, Sean Scamall, Fearghal Fearthainn, Sile Sneachta, Gearoid Gaoth, Ruairi Realta, Conn Cloichshneachta, Tomas Toirneach, Cupla Tintreach, and Gearoidin Gealach – and na Truailleáin.
