The Blizzard

by Betty Ren Wright, Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Although a blizzard prevents his cousins from visiting for his birthday, a disappointed Billy ends up having a very special day when his teacher and classmates must stay overnight at his family's house to wait out the snowstorm. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, School, Fiction, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Betty Ren Wright was an award-winning author of children's fiction including The Dollhouse Murders, The Ghosts Of Mercy Manor and A Ghost in The House.

Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.

Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Billy’s birthday and the day starts out poorly with his cousins calling, saying they are unable to come that evening to celebrate due to the snowfall. Billy heads off to the one room school house and by the afternoon, the teacher and students realize there’s a hard blizzard. What will come of Billy’s birthday?

A cozy book to read inside, when the snow is falling without.

Ages: 4 - 8

Content Considerations: a boy fusses at first about his cousins missing his birthday.

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[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does something outstanding in that it omits what year the story takes place. That might sound like a bad thing, but without that information, it becomes ideal fodder for a research lesson. I loved this book and I would like to use it in an upper grade classroom as the basis of a group research lesson. Awesome. Great illustrations. Great attention to detail in the storytelling. Well done all around. It would be a good introductory read before starting novels like The Secret School or The Teacher's Funeral : A Comedy in Three Parts.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads reviewer "Professor" summarized the plot:
"A charming story of a boy unexpectedly getting to have his entire class stay at his house on his birthday, set in a small farming community in the middle or early 20th century."

The reason for this unplanned visit is a blizzard that forces the class to take shelter at the nearest home.
The beautiful realistic illustrations pair well with the text of this winter story, evoking the historical setting and the dangerous weather.
Recommended for winter storytimes with elementary aged students.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing the dangers of blizzards, especially 100 years ago, I was expecting this book to be a historical fiction account of making the best of things. I don't think it is, but it's a delightful story nonetheless and allows me to imagine the delight of the children during what could have been a dreadful day.

[Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

MicroMort loves this book, which I did not expect. It's a charming story of a boy unexpectedly getting to have his entire class stay at his house on his birthday, set in a small farming community in the middle or early 20th century.

[Becca Pitchforth mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love hearing about life on the American Frontier. Children walking the snowy roads to school and families helping each other during a storm. It also portrays the good ole days before screens/devices. People used to sit around the stove and piano and sing together.

[Melissa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Word count-illustration balance. Warming and fun story for cold and snowy days.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for Children.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable, cozy read about a blizzard that strikes on Billy's birthday causing an expected change of plans which makes for a memorable birthday.

[Ally Copper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy thinks his birthday has been ruined by a blizzard that is looming, because the bad weather means his cousins will not be able to come to his party. When the school day gets cut short because of the snow, Billy accepts that as a pretty good birthday present. Then when the whole school has to come to his house because the roads are too bad for the teacher and other children to make it all the way home, it turns out to be a pretty terrific birthday party indeed. "The Blizzard" by Betty Ren Wright takes place in an era of one-room school houses and outhouses, when mothers could whip up a few extra pies and a big dinner for unexpected company without having to make a trip to the grocery store. This is a story about a family willing to take in friends and neighbors in their time of need. It's a story about unmet expectations but also about making the best of a bad situation. Children in first through third grade will enjoy the unexpected turnabout that happens in this story. They will like thinking about what it would be like if all of their classmates had to stay at their house for the night. The best illustrations in this book are the ones of the characters out in the blizzard. They capture what it really feels like to slowly lose visibility as the snow falls faster and faster. Some of the illustrations created using watercolor, gouache, and pencil by Ronald Himler make readers shiver with cold. This is a sweet book that starts on a sad note but ends with a smile.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

CIP Summary: "Although a blizzard prevents his cousins from visiting for his birthday, a disappointed Billy ends up having a very special day when his teacher and classmates must stay overnight at his family's house to wait out the snowstorm."

The time and place of this story does not seem to be clear, but it does seem to be in a time long ago and a school in a small town. But it is a story that could happen in a small rural town today. Although Billy thinks his birthday will be just an ordinary day, he seems genuinely thrilled to have all his classmates stay at his home for the night, as I'm sure most children would feel. Every child thinks their birthday is special and wants to celebrate it in a special way. He's proud to be able to help his classmates and teacher. The illustrations are beautiful, especially the snowy outdoor pictures. It recently won an award, but I can't recall the name. Great story for third graders and below.

[Janice Villwock · Rating 5 out of 5]

K-2nd grade Listening/read aloud

From the very first page, this book would have the attention of the whole class because the story is about Billy's birthday and the disappointment he experiences when his cousin's cannot attend his birthday due to the bad weather. The story contains things that are familiar to young children - friends, snowball fights, singing songs. Pages are done in watercolors and with very descriptive scenes, you can almost feel the snow coming down and landing on your nose. Billy's whole class, which is a one room schoolhouse ends up coming home with Billy to take shelter from the blizzard and turns into the best birthday ever for Billy. It is a real feel good story!

Social Studies/Science

You could have a lesson on weather and the dangers of a blizzard.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured the imagination of my 6-year old son who's lived in Texas his whole life. We loved reading descriptions of the snow and the workings on the farm on which the main character lived. When the blizzard arrives, all the children from the one-room school house come home with the main character because they can't make it safely to their own homes. His parents welcome all the children and the kids have grand adventures playing in the show, doing chores and taking care of the animals, singing around the piano, and preparing enough food for everyone. A heartwarming story about community and opening your home to those in need.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry is disappointed when he learns that his five cousins will be unable to attend his birthday party due to a snowstorm, but the family entertains unexpected guests when the one-room schoolhouse is snowed in and the only place close enough to walk is Henry's farm. Soon everyone is having a good time waiting out the storm and Henry realizes that having a December birthday can be all right after all. The illustrations by Ronald Himler are done in watercolor and gouache over pencil with indoor illustrations backed by warm yellow and oranges which evoke the warmth indoors and the outdoor illustrations have cool blue and white tones. The gentle story and illustrations would pair well with Nora's Ark for a rough weather oriented storytime for middle grade school students.

[Mrs. Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great paintings/illustrations accompany the story of Billy, whose birthday is tomorrow--but his cousins can't come to his party because of a predicted snowstorm. Feeling as if life is NOT fair, Billy and his sister Mae head off to school. As the snow begins in the late morning, Billy realizes that this might be a short school day--not a bad birthday gift, he thinks. With the roads closed by snow, Mr. Carter, a neighbor comes to tell the teacher that the students are stuck at the school house for the night. The teacher thinks quickly and tells Billy and Mae that all the students will be walking to Billy's house for the night. Lots of fun at the farm ensues, and Billy realizes that December birthdays can be special fun in their own right.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this story. I can tell you I loved it because I am such a birthday person. This story takes place during the pioneer days. The young children go to school and a young boy is very upset because his parents inform him that because of the blizzard, the family can't come to visit. However, the storm becomes much worse during the school day. The teacher decides to take the one room school house to the nearest persons houses- it happens to be the young boys. The birthday that seems to be his worst yet, does have a happy ending. Recommended for students elementary to middle school.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read that contained lovely illustrations of a major storm that hit when children were at school.

Billy's house is the nearest to the school and thus the teacher wisely herded the children there.

Disappointed that his cousins could not celebrate his birthday, his sadness was replaced with joy when his classmates were stranded at his house and they could celebrate with him.

While I cannot highly recommend this one, I am noting that many children's illustrated books have a theme of snow.

[Elise G · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's two kids and they go to school and their teacher lets them go outside. It's snowing and they build a snowman. They put their coats and hats and mittens on. Then it's a blizzard and they all go to the two kids' house. It's a boy named Billy's birthday and they have a birthday cake for him. He is one of the kids who lives in the house. And they also have pie. I liked the book because I just liked reading it and how they described the blizzard.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book about dealing with a blizzard in the time of one room schoolhouses. Will likely read this book with students in January.

The actual story is much better. http://nowiknow.com/nebraskas-fearles...
The true story is about a 19 year old woman who saved the lives of the children after the roof blew off of their school!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the coziness of this book! It's about a birthday party in the blizzard. So cute! I especially love the mom in this story. She is ready for any emergency and calm and fun. You will love it in the winter!

[Stephen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully entertaining book. The overall message is one that I try to stress to others, "Don't be discouraged when things don't go as planned, sometimes things work out far better when your plans go awry."

Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about school classmates who make the most of a blizzard that sweeps through their town.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-warming story of what happens when a blizzard blows into town on your birthday.