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One Fine Day
This humorous retelling of a favorite Armenian folktale is a story small children will follow and read along with ease.
“One fine day a fox traveled through the great forest. When he reached the other side he was very thirsty.” The jaunty red fox stole milk from an old farm woman, lost his tail under the annoyed woman’s knife, and spent the day bargaining to get it back. Awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of 1971.
“One fine day a fox traveled through the great forest. When he reached the other side he was very thirsty.” The jaunty red fox stole milk from an old farm woman, lost his tail under the annoyed woman’s knife, and spent the day bargaining to get it back. Awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of 1971.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1971
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About the author
Nonny Hogrogian
106 books17 followersNonny Hogrogian is an Armenian-American writer and illustrator, known best for children's picture books. She has won two annual Caldecott Medals for U.S. children's book illustrations. Since childhood she prefers folk and fairy tales, poetry, fantasy and stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 458 reviews
June 9, 2018
I enjoyed this book (written and published in 1971)but can see why, having read other reviews , in 2018 the Fox getting his tail cut off for stealing an old woman's milk would be difficult to accept in a children's book.
I still think that the story teaches a good lesson and much can be taken from the positive ending.
I still think that the story teaches a good lesson and much can be taken from the positive ending.
March 16, 2021
The bright and evocative illustrations are indeed what makes Nonny Hogrorian's One Fine Day such a visual treat (and I can certainly understand why and how One Fine Day won the 1972 Cadecott Medal). However, although I do appreciate the cumulative aspect of One Fine Day (and think that there is an important message of give and take, of the fact that one often has to give in order to receive presented by Nonny Hogrorian), the (in my opinion) uncalled for violence of the poor fox having its tail cut off simply because it stole milk from a peasant woman, rather lessens my reading pleasure somewhat. And while I am, indeed, glad that once the fox has managed to return with milk, the peasant woman sews its tail back on, she really should not have cut off the fox's tail in the first place, basically, a rather heavy over-reaction of violence towards a simple case of petty thievery; and after all, the fox was indeed very thirsty (and thus obviously needed to slake its thirst).
That being said, violence is of course part and parcel to many fairy and folktales, and actually for me, I think it is the illustration of the peasant woman holding the fox's severed tail that is much more of an issue than the text of One Fine Day itself, something which I have noticed as often being the case for me with illustrated fairy and folk tales (that I can usually and even readily accept and tolerate textual, narrative violence, but illustrated violence, even implied illustrated violence, not as much). I still do not all that much like the fact that the peasant woman cut off the fox's tail, but the illustration of the woman holding the detached tail really does bother me on a personal and emotional level so much more than the textual description of the same ever could (because it really does look and appear as though the peasant woman is holding the poor fox's tale aloft as some kind of acquired hunting trophy).
And finally, while there thankfully and appreciatively is a wee bit of supplemental folkloric/historic information provided by Nonny Hogrorian for One Fine Day and which is located on the side flaps of the dust jacket (basically that this is an adaptation of a traditional Armenian folktale), in my opinion, there really should be a more substantial author's note presented (considering that Armenian folktales are likely not all that well known outside of Armenia proper, it would be of both folkloric and academic interest to have even some basic information on the origin of this tale be made available). And yes, the limited supplemental information there is certainly does not at all satisfy my own, my personal folkloric interests (but also, having the supplemental information relegated to the side flaps of the dust jacket of One Fine Day is problematic in and of itself, since dust jackets often go missing, are discarded, are destroyed, and if the dust jacket of One Fine Day no longer exits, then of course, the supplemental details presented on the side flaps of the dust jacket would naturally and by mere necessity no longer exist either).
That being said, violence is of course part and parcel to many fairy and folktales, and actually for me, I think it is the illustration of the peasant woman holding the fox's severed tail that is much more of an issue than the text of One Fine Day itself, something which I have noticed as often being the case for me with illustrated fairy and folk tales (that I can usually and even readily accept and tolerate textual, narrative violence, but illustrated violence, even implied illustrated violence, not as much). I still do not all that much like the fact that the peasant woman cut off the fox's tail, but the illustration of the woman holding the detached tail really does bother me on a personal and emotional level so much more than the textual description of the same ever could (because it really does look and appear as though the peasant woman is holding the poor fox's tale aloft as some kind of acquired hunting trophy).
And finally, while there thankfully and appreciatively is a wee bit of supplemental folkloric/historic information provided by Nonny Hogrorian for One Fine Day and which is located on the side flaps of the dust jacket (basically that this is an adaptation of a traditional Armenian folktale), in my opinion, there really should be a more substantial author's note presented (considering that Armenian folktales are likely not all that well known outside of Armenia proper, it would be of both folkloric and academic interest to have even some basic information on the origin of this tale be made available). And yes, the limited supplemental information there is certainly does not at all satisfy my own, my personal folkloric interests (but also, having the supplemental information relegated to the side flaps of the dust jacket of One Fine Day is problematic in and of itself, since dust jackets often go missing, are discarded, are destroyed, and if the dust jacket of One Fine Day no longer exits, then of course, the supplemental details presented on the side flaps of the dust jacket would naturally and by mere necessity no longer exist either).
January 1, 2018
My first book for 2018. I'm not sure what I was expecting for a Caldecott winner, but I think it was more than this. The art was bright and lovely and I appreciate it, yet the story seemed rather simple.
A fox losses his tail and must negotiate with many people to get what he wants. It all works out.
It feels like there isn't much to this. I might need to lower my expectations for these books from the past. This is a good book, I feel it is like many other good books out there. I guess it was the best of the year in 1972.
I read this for my goal of reading the Caldecott stories for 2018.
A fox losses his tail and must negotiate with many people to get what he wants. It all works out.
It feels like there isn't much to this. I might need to lower my expectations for these books from the past. This is a good book, I feel it is like many other good books out there. I guess it was the best of the year in 1972.
I read this for my goal of reading the Caldecott stories for 2018.
August 4, 2018
Caldecotte Medal 1972
This is a cumulative tale about a thirsty fox who lapped up an old woman's pail of milk while she wasn't looking. The consequence was that she cut off the fox's tail! The fox is all upset and asks her to sew it back on so he isn't laughed at by all his friends. She told the fox she would sew it back on if he gives her the milk back. The story thus begins its chain of repetition of all the things the fox needs to do to complete the request of the old woman.
The illustrations are nice and have an old folk lore feel to them, unfortunately though, I wasn't too enraptured with the text. I feel like the story needed a smoother, less random flow to the cumulative requests of all the people and things the fox spoke to.
This is a cumulative tale about a thirsty fox who lapped up an old woman's pail of milk while she wasn't looking. The consequence was that she cut off the fox's tail! The fox is all upset and asks her to sew it back on so he isn't laughed at by all his friends. She told the fox she would sew it back on if he gives her the milk back. The story thus begins its chain of repetition of all the things the fox needs to do to complete the request of the old woman.
The illustrations are nice and have an old folk lore feel to them, unfortunately though, I wasn't too enraptured with the text. I feel like the story needed a smoother, less random flow to the cumulative requests of all the people and things the fox spoke to.
March 21, 2017
The book jacket promises a “story of a greedy fox’s adventure as catchy as a nursery rhyme.” I can’t improve on that synopsis of this Caldecott-winning picture book. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and serve the simple tale very well.
April 23, 2017
A nice but familiar story of a fox who has lost his tail and must negotiate with a number of differ t parties, organizing trades to get it out back on.
February 9, 2017
One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian was her first book in which she both wrote and illustrated. Hogrogian's illustrations were a great success. She combined pencil with watercolor to create smooth fur of the fox, bushy grass in the field, and wavy water in the river. Hogrogian's story tells of a fox who was very thirsty and therefore drank milk from an old woman's pail. The old woman became upset and cut off the fox's tail. The fox naturally became upset, and then goes on an adventure to get his tail back, working with many different animals and people alike. One Fine Day won the Caldecott Medal and for good reason. It's story presents collaboration, honesty, and trust with a predictable character in the fox. Young children will enjoy this story as it has beautiful illustrations and a happy ending. I would recommend using this book in the classroom to show different techniques for illustrating, sequencing/retelling, and to accompany a unit on friendship.
September 24, 2016
Book summary: This is an award-winning book. This book is about a fox who gets its tail cut off by a women because he drank her milk. The woman would sew back on the fox's tail if the fox brought her some milk. The cow would give the fox milk if brought grass. The grass wanted water, the water wanted a jug, a lady with a jug wanted a bead, the man with a bead wanted an egg, the hen with an egg wanted grain, then a nice man gave him some grain so he can down the line of favors get his tail sewn back on and return to his friends.
Grade level:K-3
Appropriate classroom use: This would be a good book to do a quiz on. What would the fox need to get the egg from the hen or so on so you can check for understanding and whether or not the kids were paying attention.
Indv. students who benefit: Those who need to read more books aloud or silently to progress on reading.
Small group use: Literature circles or learning stations could be done with this book. Reading a page at a time together.
Whole class use: Understand that what the old lady did was wrong. Not sure if i want to read this book to kindergartners because of the act of violence.
Related books: Nonny Hogrogian books such as Come Back Moon, caldecott medal winners, and other picture books.
Multimedia connection: Available in audible.
Grade level:K-3
Appropriate classroom use: This would be a good book to do a quiz on. What would the fox need to get the egg from the hen or so on so you can check for understanding and whether or not the kids were paying attention.
Indv. students who benefit: Those who need to read more books aloud or silently to progress on reading.
Small group use: Literature circles or learning stations could be done with this book. Reading a page at a time together.
Whole class use: Understand that what the old lady did was wrong. Not sure if i want to read this book to kindergartners because of the act of violence.
Related books: Nonny Hogrogian books such as Come Back Moon, caldecott medal winners, and other picture books.
Multimedia connection: Available in audible.
July 11, 2012
Lovely illustrations (earning a Caldecott Medal, in fact) are the star of this story of a sly fox who steals milk from an old woman. She chops off his tail in punishment and says she will sew it back on only if he gives her more milk. This sets the fox off on a journey to find all the things others demand of him before he can finally get that milk. It's a cumulative tale that might appeal to some children. I'm afraid the violence kind of kept me from enjoying what might otherwise be a fun little story, but it is based on an Armenian folktale and I know violence is no stranger to traditional folktales.
September 19, 2010
I like foxes, which is why this book jumped out from the shelf. But, I don't like the message it sends. The old woman reacts violently to the fox helping himself to her milk. It's too Old Testament for my taste, not to mention I really don't enjoy reading kids' books where you end up repeating yourself a million times a-la The Green Grass Grew All Around.
December 10, 2017
This book was a Caldecott Medal Winner several years ago. It's a bit strange, the sort of books some kids will find disquieting. My daughter did not really like it as the fox's tail gets cut off in the beginning and then he spends the rest of the book trading for favors and items trying to get his tail sewn back on.
Obviously, nicely illustrated and a cool tale in the style of the older fairy tales and fables.
Obviously, nicely illustrated and a cool tale in the style of the older fairy tales and fables.
October 13, 2018
The book is well-written, but once I started reading it I remembered detesting it as a child, and that didn't help me like it any more now. I hope the old woman doesn't have any pets.
December 2, 2025
Caldecott 1972 A cute fox laps up some milk, so his tail gets cut off. To get it sewn back on, he must get replacement milk. At each step, the fox recites a growing story list of things that need to happen:
- The cow wants grass.
- The grass wants water.
- The water needs a jug.
- The girl with a jug needs a bead.
- The peddler with a bead wants an egg.
- The hen wants grain.
- The kind miller man gives the grain for free.
Now, the succession of 'payments' can occur.
A child reading this can build up the story, learning what's next. Children like re-reading books like this as they show off their memory. You can feel the story growing. And again you can replay the story backwards as all the payments are made.
Fast, short read, but one kids will ask for again and again.
4.25*
- The cow wants grass.
- The grass wants water.
- The water needs a jug.
- The girl with a jug needs a bead.
- The peddler with a bead wants an egg.
- The hen wants grain.
- The kind miller man gives the grain for free.
Now, the succession of 'payments' can occur.
A child reading this can build up the story, learning what's next. Children like re-reading books like this as they show off their memory. You can feel the story growing. And again you can replay the story backwards as all the payments are made.
Fast, short read, but one kids will ask for again and again.
4.25*
March 22, 2021
Good story & pictures. I cannot find an exact edition of mine on here, this one is the closest. My copy says published 1971 by Macmillan.
December 9, 2014
One fine day by Hogrogian Noony
Genre: picture book, fiction Reading level: K-3 grade Format: good
Reading the book One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian was really enjoyable in the fact that the book has a pattern and a rhythm. I liked how the picture illustrations in the book showed everything the text said for example when the fox was drinking the old ladies milk. The pictures show the worrying face of the fox when he is asking the cow, field, steam, sweet maiden, peddler, hen, and miller for help so he can get his tail sowed back because the old lady chopped it off since he finished all her milk. And he didn’t want to go with his friends because his friends were going to make fun of him. Until finally the miller felt sorry for the fox and he helped the fox out by giving him everything he needed. And finally the old lady got her milk and sowed the fox’s tail and the fox happily went with his friends. This book can be sued in the classroom to teach students that their is mean people out in the world but also nice people who will help you.
Genre: picture book, fiction Reading level: K-3 grade Format: good
Reading the book One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian was really enjoyable in the fact that the book has a pattern and a rhythm. I liked how the picture illustrations in the book showed everything the text said for example when the fox was drinking the old ladies milk. The pictures show the worrying face of the fox when he is asking the cow, field, steam, sweet maiden, peddler, hen, and miller for help so he can get his tail sowed back because the old lady chopped it off since he finished all her milk. And he didn’t want to go with his friends because his friends were going to make fun of him. Until finally the miller felt sorry for the fox and he helped the fox out by giving him everything he needed. And finally the old lady got her milk and sowed the fox’s tail and the fox happily went with his friends. This book can be sued in the classroom to teach students that their is mean people out in the world but also nice people who will help you.
January 4, 2014
I remember reading this picture book when I was young and feeling sorry for the fox who becomes increasingly frustrated in his attempts to get his tail sewn back. Of course, his problem is caused by his own greed in drinking an old woman's milk. Still, after she promises to help him out if he replaces the milk, he goes from one animal or human to the next in search of what he needs. Each one wants something in return. For instance, the cow agrees to provide milk if the fox brings some grass. The field agrees to provide grass but only if the fox brings some water. Resplendent illustrations accompany each page of this cumulative tale in which the fox finally finds someone who takes pity of him. That act of kindness allows the tail to be sewn to his backside once more and the fox to avoid any teasing from his friends. For me, this one stands the test of time and is just as delightful today as it was decades ago when it was first published.
July 1, 2015
Unlike other reviewers, I didn't see the chopping off of the fox's tail as violent: there was no blood, and the fox did not complain of being in pain. During the entire cumulative story, he was more worried about being laughed at for being tailless than anything else. In my opinion, I think the old woman's reasoning was that the fox took something that belonged to her, so she took something that belonged to him. And I don't think the author/illustrator intended for the tail chopping to be viewed as a violent action, but as a tit for tat action. I thought the colorful, folksy paintings fit the story well, although they are not my favorite style of picture book art.
February 5, 2012
The sunny pictures are the most fun part of this book about a fox who has to pay back a woman for his misdeeds. He drank her milk, so she cut off his tail. To get it sewn back, he has to replace the milk which requires coordinating the requests of many others. A good example of a story using repetition for effect.
October 11, 2019
Great cumulative tale with lovely illustrations.
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February 15, 2022I thought the book One Fine Day was a very good read, it had a good lesson behind the story. The fox was trying to get his tail back but had to complete all of his tasks before he could get to his tail. I thought this was a good lesson to teach your students to never give up no matter how hard they have to try for something.
October 6, 2023
One Fine Day is the 1972 Caldecott Award winner. Another book that I thought was just ok. The story is based on an Armenian folktale. I wasn't impressed with the illustrations.
September 26, 2025
This book was a bit gruesome to start.
July 27, 2015
Beautiful illustrations...clearly deserving of the Caldecott Medal. I am a bit puzzled or disappointed in the message that the text could be sending. First, the lady's violent overreaction isn't the message I think children today need to see....Violence was neither necessary nor warranted. Certainly the fox made a mistake...and children do need to be taught not to steal, and to make amends if/when they do make such a mistake. But to me, this wasn't the message that stood out...the fox didn't set off to get milk for the old woman because he felt bad for his actions...he set off on his journey so that he could get his tail back so his friends wouldn't laugh at him. Now, I doubt most kids will read this story the same way I did...but I don't love that the message that stands out to me is that he had to go to person(animal/object) after person to be able to get milk for the old woman in order to protect his reputation and to not be embarrassed in front of his "FRIENDS". I want my children to do what they do because it is right and because it brings them peace and happiness, not to please their friends and be popular. That's not true friendship. So, while I am probably reading too much into this story...it will not be a favorite.
September 28, 2015
The very thirsty fox who wanders through the woods, comes upon a jug containing milk. After he consumes what is not his, the woman owning the jug chops off his tail. Feeling vulnerable, he begs her to re-attach and sew the tail back to his body.
She tells him he must first replace the milk. Her request sends the fox on a journey wherein each one he requests, asks for another thing in return. Until, at the end, a wonderful man has sympathy for the fox and his plight. Instead of asking for something in return, he gives more than is requested.
This is a lovely book which enables the reader to remember the sequence of all the fox must accomplish before his wish is granted.
The story and lovely illustrations, pull the reader into the pages.
She tells him he must first replace the milk. Her request sends the fox on a journey wherein each one he requests, asks for another thing in return. Until, at the end, a wonderful man has sympathy for the fox and his plight. Instead of asking for something in return, he gives more than is requested.
This is a lovely book which enables the reader to remember the sequence of all the fox must accomplish before his wish is granted.
The story and lovely illustrations, pull the reader into the pages.
July 24, 2015
This is a classic tale, a format that is fairly common, with one action building upon and dependent upon another until you get to the end. It is entertaining and has the familiar and comforting repetition that so many children like. Nice, colorful illustrations, too.
This book was selected as one of the books for the July 2015 - Quarterly Caldecott discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was selected as one of the books for the July 2015 - Quarterly Caldecott discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 5, 2017
This book is very similar to The Greedy Sparrow and other tales of its kind where an animal character must make continuous trades in order to repay a debt or gain something desired. In this version, the character is a fox, and the story is very straightforward. It follows predictable from point A to point B and then ends happily. I love the long nose of Hogrogian’s fox, and the way the position of his nose clues the reader into his mood and demeanor depending on what is happening in a given illustration. I’m not sure the story really has a message, but the illustrations keep it interesting enough that it doesn’t much matter.
September 16, 2015
1972 Caldecott Medal Winner. Favorite Illustration: When the fox finally gets his tail back, the look on his face is so hilarious - he's so relieved to finally have his tail returned!
This is a funny little quid pro quo tale following a fox on his journey to get his tail back. I loved the fox's facial expressions - they were so perfect. At times he was frustrated, scared, timid, relieved, or hopeful and they all were shown so beautifully on his face! The bright illustrations lent a cheery tone to the story, and it was just fun overall to read.
This is a funny little quid pro quo tale following a fox on his journey to get his tail back. I loved the fox's facial expressions - they were so perfect. At times he was frustrated, scared, timid, relieved, or hopeful and they all were shown so beautifully on his face! The bright illustrations lent a cheery tone to the story, and it was just fun overall to read.
August 18, 2014
That poor fox! I'm glad the old man finally had compassion and pity that he gave the fox something instead of requiring something from him. Poor little guy. He'd just been thirsty. Should have asked first, but still. This is a build-on story, and honestly as I read I kept hearing "Into the Woods."
Could work in storytime. Would be good in a lap-read as well.
Could work in storytime. Would be good in a lap-read as well.
March 21, 2018
A fox while traveling gets thirsty, and helps himself to an old woman's milk pail, and in her anger chops off his tail. When he asks her to sew it back on she refuses until he gets her some more milk. So, the fox finds himself bartering with others in order to get milk to give to the old woman in order to get his tail resewn on.
May 6, 2008
An old woman cuts off a fox's tail. He pleads with her to sew it back on but he must get back the milk he stole from her. So he goes to the cow for milk, and he must get grass in exchange for the milk. And so on and so on and so on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 458 reviews