The Tenth Good Thing About Barney is an illustrated children’s story about grief, memory and learning to live with the death of a beloved pet. After his cat Barney dies, a young boy feels deeply sad, and his mother suggests holding a funeral and naming ten good things about him. The boy can remember nine qualities and moments that made Barney special, but the tenth remains difficult to find. Through conversations with his parents and the simple family ritual of saying goodbye, he begins to explore what death means and how love can remain present through memories. Judith Viorst approaches the loss of a pet with honesty and emotional restraint, allowing sadness, confusion and curiosity to coexist without offering easy explanations. Erik Blegvad’s gentle illustrations support the quiet tone of the story, which invites children and adults to speak openly about mourning while the boy continues searching for the final thought that will complete his farewell.
Author: Judith Viorst
Publisher: Aladdin Books / Macmillan Publishing Company
Year published: 1987
Number of pages: 32
Target age: 6–9