About the Book
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
English or Irish editions available for parallel reading or shared reading in mixed-language groups
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.
About the Author :
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.
Review :
"Is cinnte go spreagfaidh acmhainní [Na Weatherbies] suim i measc páistí bunscoile ag gach leibhéal. Is féidir na hacmhainní seo a úsáid i dtreo ardú feasachta maidir leis an aimsir, an timpeallacht, an athchúrsáil agus cúrsaí aeráide, rudaí atá an-ábhartha agus an-phráinneach sa lá atá inniu ann. Tá féidearthachtaí móra ann chomh maith ó thaobh na litearthachta de sa dara teanga, le carachtair tharraingteacha a spreagfaidh teanga ó bhéal, an léitheoireacht agus an scríbhneoireacht."
[The Weatherbies] resources are sure to spark interest among primary school children at all levels. These resources can be used to raise awareness of weather, the environment, recycling and climate issues, which are very relevant and urgent today. There is also great potential for second language literacy, with engaging characters that will encourage oral language, reading and writing. - Jacaí de Brún, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta
“Tá muid an-sásta Na Weatherbies a chur in aithne dár lucht féachana óg do Sheachtain na Gaeilge!
“We’re really pleased to introduce Na Weatherbies to our younger audience for Seachtain na Gaeilge! The bright, colourful, lively stories and songs from all the characters provide younger Irish language learners with a fun, accessible way to learn about particular topics and themes in the world around us.” - Karen Kirby, Commissioning Executive for BBC Gaeilge
"Mar Oifigeach Polasaí Oideachais le Gael Linn... agus mar gheall ar mo thaithí mar mhúinteoir Gaelscoile le seacht mbliana, aithním an easpa áiseanna i dtaca leis an athrú aeráide atá ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá ardchaigheán leis na háiseanna atá á chruthú ag Yvonne, Peter agus na Weatherbies agus creidim go gcuirfeadh an soláthar go mór... le spriocanna oideachais na tíre.
As Education Policy Officer with Gael Linn... and from my experience as a Gaelscoil teacher for seven years, I recognise the lack of climate change resources available through the medium of Irish. The resources being created by Yvonne, Peter and the Weatherbies are of a high standard and I believe that the provision would make a significant contribution... to the country's educational goals." - Séamas Mac Eochaidh, Oifigeach Polasai Oideachais
Tá tábhacht níos mó ná riamh ag baint le hacmhainní bhreise a bheith ar fáil a chabhraíonn le sealbhú na Gaeilge i measc páistí óga. Misean Gaeloideachas ná sealbhú agus sóisialú na Gaeilge á chur chun cinn tríd an oideachas lán-Ghaeilge ón réamhscolaíocht go dtí an iar-bhunscolaíocht ar fud na tíre. Tacaíonn na hacmhainní ar nós The Weatherbies go mór lenar gcuid oibre. Scaipeann muid acmhainní The Weatherbies i Nuachtlitir na Naíonraí agus Nuachtlitir na scoileanna.
Tacaíonn na hacmhainní áirithe seo le noirmeanna teanga a chruthú, a chothú agus á chleachtadh laistigh agus lasmuigh de suíomhanna oideachais, rud a spreagann agus a threisíonn forbairt teanga na bpáistí óga.
Cabhraíonn na hacmhainní oideachasúla seo le páistí óga a spreagadh le Gaeilge a labhairt eatarthu féin mar ghnáth-theanga cumarsáide sa bhaile. Is uirlis iontach do mhúinteoirí é agus creidim go mbeadh na físeáin bheochanna ina chúnamh ollmhór dóibh sa seomra ranga agus do thuismitheoirí sa bhaile. Tá Gaeloideachas lán-sásta ár dtacaíocht a léiriú do The Weatherbies" - Katie Ní Riain, Oifigeach Forbartha, Gaeloideachas
“Léirigh The Weatherbies dúthracht agus díograis chun ábhair aoisoiriúnacha spreagúla a chur ar fáil d’earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta. Tá scoileanna ag léiriú suime sna hábhair seo agus tá siad á n-úsáid sna seomraí ranga fud fad an tuaiscirt.
The Weatherbies have shown commitment and enthusiasm in providing appealing age-appropriate resources for the Irish Medium sector. Irish Medium schools in the north are showing interest in these resources and they are now in use across the sector.” - Maria Thomasson, Príomhfheidhmeannach Gníomhach, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta
"Altram supports The Weatherbies project of developing an Irish language version of their stories, songs and animated video content and other associated materials and resources. It is great to see that the variety of Irish language resources is expanding, particularly for young children. The Weatherbies project will provide a much-needed source of additional media which there is such a lack of here in the North." - Aisling Walls, Bainisteoir | Manager, Altram
"[The Weatherbies'] innovative project idea for Irish medium schools... coincides with our own remit which includes development of resources to support the Northern Ireland Curriculum. We believe that such a resource would support teaching and learning in the context of Irish medium education. They have developed resources such as songs, games, lesson plans to support teaching and learning about climate change, weather, and the world around us. They are also planning to develop additional resources on everyday curriculum topics such as time, all aimed at both foundation and Key stages 1 and 2. The resources will be aligned to the curriculum and CCEA will provide support through social media as well as advice on curriculum matters.
There is an ongoing need for teaching and learning resources for Irish medium across the key stages. We think that the project idea will be welcomed by schools and will be both engaging and interesting for children, whilst providing broad and rich opportunities for developing language." - Roisin Radcliffe, Programme Manager, Modern Languages, Irish Medium Education, Post Primary Curriculum and DE Projects, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment
"Eco-Schools understand the real need to begin education early around the climate crisis. However, there is a lack of resources and confidence among the teaching community to deliver lessons around Environmental Education to our younger pupils such as Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. We at EcoSchools see real potential in the books, songs, and animated videos The Weatherbies have produced and continue to produce, and are keen to help develop teacher resources to coincide with their content." - Charlene McKeown, Environmental Education Manager, Eco-Schools Northern Ireland
"I’ve provided forecasting services for various companies and have several years’ experience in broadcasting. My work also allows me to go to primary schools around Northern Ireland and chat to enthusiastic kids about the weather and climate. I love this part of my job. The Weatherbies introduce weather, climate, and nature to children at an even earlier age. It’s a great idea and so well put together. It is clever, creative, and inventive." - Cecilia Daly, Meteorologist & Weather Forecaster
