A new children's book born from community, research and real stories
Written by Dr Michelle Hamrosi, Charlie’s Birthday Adventure is more than just a children’s book. As well as helping young children understand bushfire emergencies in a gentle, age-appropriate way, it includes guides and resources to help parents prepare for the bushfire season and be ready in an emergency. Inspired by real stories from the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires, it was created to support the calm, honest conversations families often need but don’t always know how to start. Access the book and kids’ activity sheets here.
Download Charlie's Birthday Adventure
How Charlie's Birthday Adventure came to life
Charlie’s Birthday Adventure was written by Dr Michelle Hamrosi , a GP and mum from the NSW South Coast. Michelle's family (including 3 small children) had to evacuate during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires.
Through the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Community Protection for Infants and Young Children bushfire project, Michelle listened to hundreds of families describe evacuating with young children. She saw that while resources for parents were starting to appear, there was nothing written directly for young children.
This story weaves those real experiences into one gentle adventure. It helps explain why we sometimes have to leave in an emergency, while landing softly enough for little hearts.
Video: Watch Michelle share her story
Read Michelle’s full story on our blog
Why a book?
Preparedness fact sheets often get lost in the chaos of family life. A book is different. Children become the link to their parents, through play, pictures and calm, safe language. Practical steps and resources for grown-ups are provided at the back of the book.
“I love how there’s a problem that turns into an adventure, and there are so many helpers keeping Charlie safe.”
— Michelle’s daughter, aged 8 (who was one during the bushfires)
Made possible by community
The book is brought to life through the warm and beautiful illustrations of Courtenay Tooth , a Moruya-based artist and mum of two.
Child therapists, trauma psychologists, librarians, published authors, preschool teachers and parents also provided significant input to the book.
Charlie's Birthday Adventure was made possible by the generosity of Rotary Batemans Bay, SHASA, and Country Women’s Association Moruya and Narooma. With their support we were able to illustrate, design and print copies for our local community, at no cost to families. And now with the support of Parents for Climate Charlie’s Birthday Adventure is finding its way to a larger audience.
About the Contributors
Dr Michelle Hamrosi — Author
Michelle is a GP and lactation consultant based in the Eurobodalla, and the Group Leader of the ABA Eurobodalla Group. She served as ABA Community Engagement Officer from 2022–2025, working on community protection for infants and young children in bushfire emergencies, which directly informed the creation of this book. Michelle is also a clinical lecturer with the ANU Rural Clinical School and is an advocate with Doctors for the Environment Australia. She is a mother of three fast growing up children and a passionate voice for community health, preparedness and the wellbeing of young families. When enjoying a day off she loves pottering in her garden with her chickens, growing shiitake mushrooms and playing piano.
Courtney Tooth — Illustrator
Courtenay is a visual artist from Melbourne, who has called Moruya home for the last decade. Primarily a painter, also an illustrator and graphic design artist.
As a mother of two, who experienced the 2019-20 bushfires first hand, Courtenay pulled her experience into the illustrations with heart.