One Grumpy Day

Little Hedgehog #16

by M. Christina Butler, Tina Macnaughton (Illustrator)

This heartwarming story of friendship and determination features the return of the beloved Little Hedgehog and his friends as they search the forest for their friend Fox before night falls.

In this newest installment of the Little Hedgehog and Friends series, Fox is in a terrible mood. Little Hedgehog and his friends try many different things to make Fox feel better--they give him hot chocolate and cookies, and Little Hedgehog even gives him his treasured red hat. Fox begins to feel his bad mood start to fade, but when more unfortunate things happen, his bad mood returns, and he stomps off into the forest. Will Little Hedgehog and the others be able to find Fox before it gets dark? This sweet story introduces themes of friendship, determination, and gratitude. 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

M Christina Butler was born in Scarborough. She had an idyllic childhood in the country where she spent her weekends playing on a farm among the animals. Christina has worked as a nurse, a pre-school nursery supervisor, and a governor at her local primary school, as well as writing a number of children’s books. She now lives close to York.

Reviews

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/one-gr...

ONE GRUMPY DAY is a charming picture book about feeling grumpy and friendship. Fox is in a tough mood, as he is feeling very grumpy today. Hedgehog and friends try to help Fox feel better by sharing the things that help them when they are in a grumpy mood. Fox might be feeling a little better, but then something else happens and his grumpy mood returns full force. He stomps into the wood, but it could be dangerous, so his friends follow to help. Luckily, the hat he was wearing unraveled and they follow it to find him and to get them all back. Fox realizes that his friendships make him lucky and it helps to get him out of his grumpy mood.

What I loved: This is an overall really cute read about friendship and dealing with tough moods. Ultimately, the driver for getting over a grumpy mood comes from within, when Fox begins to appreciate what he has in such good friends. The feeling of a bad mood will resonate with young readers who may be able to think of their own tricks for getting out of it. The animals also stress that it is okay to feel grumpy sometimes, helping children to recognize and embrace their own emotions. The illustrations are detailed and bring the characters to life on each page. Considering the length of the story, this will work well for preschool and young elementary aged readers.

Final verdict: ONE GRUMPY DAY is a cute picture book about friendship, feeling grumpy, and gratitude.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Hedgehog greets his friend Fox, but Fox is in a bad mood. The forest friends try everything they can think of to make Fox happy again. They even bring him hot chocolate and cookies. But Fox stomps off into the forest as the night is closing in. Hedgehog searches for Fox to warn him of the dangers of getting lost in the dark forest. When Fox sees his friend, he is grateful to have someone who comes looking for him when he is lost. His bad mood is finally gone, swallowed up in gratitude! The forest friends bring a lantern to guide everyone safely home.

I loved this cute book! The little animal characters are so adorable. I liked how they all join together to cheer up their friend Fox. They each offer something that makes them feel happy and grateful and they hope that they can share it with Fox and lift his spirits.

The illustrations are lovely! Every page is colorful and sweet. The designs of the little characters are so cute and fluffy. I love the wintery scenes and the beautiful snowy trees.

This book has positive messages about how it is okay to be grumpy sometimes, but don't let it stop you from being grateful for all the good things in your life, and especially the good people.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably everyone has had a day similar to Fox's. It seems as though nothing is going right. He is sick, there's no chocolate in his house, and he hurt his paw. He's simply miserable and clearly grumpy. Little Hedgehog and his other friends try to make him feel better with suggestions about how the deal with their own bad moods. Cookies, hot chocolate, and a red hat help briefly, but then a sneeze ruins everything. After Fox leaves in a huff, headed for home through the dark forest, Little Hedgehog goes after him, following the trail of yarn left by his unraveling knitted hat. The two of them are joined by the other animals, who gather in Badger's house for a sleepover and to tend Little Hedgehog, who has caught Fox's cold. But no matter; after all, they all have each other, a warm place to stay, and Hedgehog gets a new hat knitted by his friends. As for Fox? He is fully aware of how much he has to be grateful for. This picture book with its nature scenes and friendly animals trying to help one another is a good choice for sharing with students as a reminder that small annoyances will pass and that an attitude adjustment can help them deal with inconveniences or stave off grumpiness. It's worth noting that none of the animals suggests that it isn't okay to feel grumpy; instead, they offer suggestions for feeling better when someone is not feeling particularly happy.

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fox is grumpy. He has a cold, his hot chocolate is finished and he stubbed his toe. His friends try to help him feel better and it starts to work until it doesn't and he is left in an even worse grump!

Great story of friendship. Cute illustrations but the characters remind me of Karma Wilson's characters in the Bear series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a little too cutesy for me. A grumpy fox keeps getting grumpier as his friends attempt to cheer him up. The ending with the hedgehog seemed kind of tacked on after the whole story was about Fox's grumpy mood. Nice animal illustrations, though.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 01-25-2023

[Maya Harutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was so sweet, a book about the power of friendships and being grateful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable (read before wrapping for my niece)

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are SO CUTE but the story is lacking.