One Grumpy Day
#16 in Little Hedgehog Series
What’s inside...
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.
Discussion points
What do you think made the character feel grumpy in the story?
How did the character’s mood change throughout the book, and what caused those changes?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the character? What helped you feel better?
Why do you think it's important to try to understand how someone else is feeling?
How could you help a friend or sibling if they were having a grumpy day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more dynamic and engaging.
Ask your child to imagine their own solutions or endings before revealing the actual resolution in the book.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of a scene where the character felt grumpy and another scene where they felt happy.
Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life situations your child might encounter to deepen their understanding of empathy and moods.
After reading, prompt your child to reflect on what they learned from the story and how it might apply to their own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Handling emotions
Explanation: The main character in 'One Grumpy Day' experiences a series of frustrating circumstances that affect his mood. Throughout the story, various strategies are demonstrated to help him manage his feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify what triggers their emotions and explore different techniques such as talking about their feelings or taking a moment to breathe, helping them cope with similar situations in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As other characters interact with the protagonist, they show compassion and attempt to understand why he is feeling grumpy, rather than reacting negatively.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being empathetic towards friends and family members who might be experiencing a bad day, encouraging a supportive and caring environment.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The story showcases how the character faces various small problems and finds ways to solve them, ultimately leading to a better mood by the end of the day.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to see problems as solvable, instilling a mindset that obstacles can be overcome with creative thinking and persistence.
Example Lesson: The power of positive thinking
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes the change in the character's day once he starts to look at his challenges with a positive outlook.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that their attitude can greatly affect their daily experiences and that maintaining positivity can lead to more enjoyable outcomes.
Example Lesson: Importance of expressing feelings
Explanation: The book illustrates the grumpy character gradually sharing his feelings with others, which leads to a resolution of his conflicts.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of communicating their emotions to others, helping them build stronger relationships and better manage their feelings.