The Tenth Good Thing About Barney – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book1987

78%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

The classic pet-death picture book that's saved countless parents from fumbling through The Talk about what happens when Fluffy doesn't wake up.

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

book

1987

78%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

The classic pet-death picture book that's saved countless parents from fumbling through The Talk about what happens when Fluffy doesn't wake up.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, no kid is asking for this at bedtime. But when the hamster goes belly-up or the family dog doesn't make it through surgery, this book is a lifeline.

Viorst nails the emotional honesty: the boy is genuinely sad, he struggles to find that tenth good thing, and the resolution—Barney decomposing to help plants grow—is both scientifically accurate and surprisingly comforting. It's not morbid; it's real.

The 1971 illustrations are dated, and at 24 pages, it's over quickly. But that's kind of the point. You're not reading this for entertainment value; you're reading it because you need help navigating a conversation that's hard for everyone.

WISE score reflects that this is a specialized tool rather than must-read literature. It does its job beautifully, but it's not Goodnight Moon. Keep it on hand, hope you don't need it, and when you do—it'll be there.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8 when pet death is immediate or imminent. Younger kids can grasp the emotions; older kids may find it too simple. This isn't a book kids will request for fun—it's a grief resource that earns its place on the shelf when you need it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Judith Viorst handles pet death with remarkable emotional honesty and gentleness. The boy's grief is validated, the family supports him through a funeral ritual, and the resolution—realizing Barney will help plants grow—offers comfort without being saccharine. Models healthy grieving and family support beautifully.

Imaginative

The premise of finding ten good things is a creative framing device that turns memory into a structured activity. The tenth realization—connecting death to the natural cycle—shows imaginative thinking about life and decomposition. However, this is primarily a realistic, grounded story rather than one that sparks wild creativity or play.

Safe

This is exactly what it says on the tin: a gentle book about pet death. Parents choosing this book know what they're getting. The death is natural (old age), not traumatic or violent. The only caveat is that it's specifically FOR talking about death, so it's not a surprise-sad book—it's an intentional grief tool. Lexile 490L makes it accessible for early readers.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in processing loss. It teaches kids that grief is normal, that remembering the good is healing, and introduces the concept of decomposition and the life cycle in an age-appropriate way. The father's explanation about Barney helping plants grow is both scientifically accurate and emotionally comforting. Builds emotional intelligence and introduces natural science concepts.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Treats childhood grief with respect—the boy's sadness is real and validated, not rushed or minimized
The 'ten good things' framework gives kids a concrete way to process loss through positive memory
Introduces decomposition and the life cycle gently: Barney helping plants grow is both true and comforting
Short (812 words, 24 pages) and direct—gets to the point without dragging kids through prolonged sadness
Amazon 4.6/5 rating shows it's genuinely helped families through tough moments

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What to Watch For

This is a tool, not entertainment—you're buying it because someone died or you're preparing for that conversation
Published in 1971, so illustrations have that vintage picture-book aesthetic that some kids find boring
The decomposition explanation is matter-of-fact; make sure your kid is ready for 'Barney's body will help the flowers'
May not resonate if your family has different beliefs about afterlife—the book takes a naturalistic approach

Conversation Starters

"What are ten good things you remember about [pet name]?"
"How do you think Barney's body helping plants grow made the boy feel better?"
"Is it okay to feel sad even when we know something good might come from something bad?"
"What do you think happens to animals (or people) after they die?"

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