Observing and describing in Storm Boy 5: Describing the weather

The next time you’re outside, think about yourself as the main character of a story and narrate your situation, starting with details about the weather.

‘It was bright and sunny the day I walked from the library to school assembly. Two lonely clouds were the only thing obstructing a perfect blue sky and a light breeze seemed to be pushing me and the other students towards our destination…’

Whether you write your narration down, say it out loud, or just think it is up to you!

The weather features so much in Storm Boy because his environment is significant to the story. Are there any other stories you know where the weather plays an important role in a chapter or scene? What words does the writer use to describe what’s happening?

Storm Boy by Colin Thiele is a classic Australian story that follows friendship between Storm Boy and a pelican he raised called Mr Percival. The book concentrates on other relationships too - his dad Hide-Away Tom, their friend Fingerbone Bill, three rescued pelicans and the wild coastal environment where they live and enjoy a solitary life.

The story has been turned into a play, a film (twice!), and even a video game. The images you see in this course are from the first film version of the story.