Sue slept sweetly, warm in her crib, and unaware of the strange happenings outside.

Rick had heard a noise behind the house, and had gone to investigate. There he found a wild penguin, attracted to the neighbourhood by the extreme cold. It was a friendly thing.

It was so cold that Rick couldn’t stay with the penguin for very long. It may have stopped snowing, but there was ice everywhere.

At least it was warm inside the house. Rick and Trixie were happy that Ed liked to read every day. He was a curious fellow.

Sue, on the other hand, spent a lot of time bashing her xylophone. Sometimes it even sounded like a tune.

The ice was starting to melt, and so Guardian celebrated by baking the family some Santa cookies. It was just what they needed to take their mind off things.

It was Sue’s birthday. She had suddenly become a little lady.

The next morning Ed opened his eyes and crawled out of bed. He looked through the window and saw the most beautiful weather. Winter was over at last.

The family rushed out into the daylight. Spring was finally here!

This was the Small family tree at the start of spring.

Surely it was a time for celebration!

But how come there was a strange chill in the air, despite the warmth of the sun washing over them?