Children's Health Queensland has developed a range of storybooks for children on natural disasters and viruses including storms, floods, fires etc. The stories are designed to help children cope during emotionally distressing events.
Birdie Books include:
Birdie and the Virus - A virus has made Birdie’s friends sick! Birdie feels lonely and worried. What if everyone stays sick forever? A story for young children about recovering from a virus.
The Birdie and the Virus storybook is also available as an animated video and sing-along to help children understand the importance of hand hygiene and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Birdie and the fire - Birdie and her friends have to get away from a bushfire. A story for young children about recovering from fires.
Birdie and the cyclone - A big wind blows away Birdie’s nest! A story for young children about recovering from cyclones.
Birdie and the very hot day - Birdie and the Very Hot Day: It’s so hot, Birdie and Mr Frog have to find ways to cool down and feel better. A story for young children about coping with heatwaves.
Birdie and the Big Sickness - Birdie’s friends are all sick, but doctors and nurses are there to help. A story for young children about illness in the community.
Birdie and the flood - It rains so much, Birdie and Mr Frog have to get away from the rising water. A story for young children about recovering from floods.
Birdie and the drought - A terrible drought means Birdie has to leave her home and friends. A story for young children about getting through hard times.
Birdie and the earthquake - Birdie and her friends take shelter from an earthquake. A story for young children about recovering from earthquakes and tsunamis.
** Some stories are also available in languages such as Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Samoan etc.
When a child has been affected by a stressful event like a natural disaster, there are even more reasons to read a story with them. Birdie stories help children cope with stressful events by:
- helping them understand what’s happened, and what might happen next
- helping them feel safe, sharing a story in a caring relationship with an adult
- helping them learn words for ‘big feelings’ like sadness, anger and worry; as well as words for feeling happy, cosy, content and safe
- reassuring them that it’s okay to express and talk about feelings
- giving them interesting, enjoyable experiences to work against unpleasant experiences they may have had or still be having
You can read 7 Birdie storybooks for free on a computer, tablet or mobile phone:
- Birdie and the Flood
- Birdie and the Cyclone
- Birdie and the Fire
- Birdie and the Earthquake
- Birdie and the Drought
- Birdie and the Very Hot Day
- Birdie and the Big Sickness
Read online here: Birdie Stories
Full-colour professionally-printed copies of the books can be purchased for $10 per book (plus postage).
For more information: Birdie Tree
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