The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
A boy attempts to find ten good things to say about his cat's funeral. The story shows how the tenth "good thing" can be found in the simple, quiet ways life continues in a garden.
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst is estimated to take about 9 minutes to read aloud (812 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 9 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 812Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
By turning a difficult topic into a numbered task, the book makes the heavy subject of a pet's death feel manageable for a five-year-old. It moves from the ceremony of a funeral to the reality of loss.
It is a gentle way to approach the concept of remembering a pet. The focus on how life goes on provides a sense of quiet closure.
Before you buy it
This story addresses pet death with plain language regarding the burial. It purposefully leaves the debate about whether Barney is in the ground or in heaven unresolved.
Themes
- pet death
- cats
- funerals
- remembering
Books like The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairsabout 8 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
The Rabbit Listenedabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Badger's Parting Giftsabout 10 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Childrenabout 6 minutes estimated · 2/5 re-read
Ida, Alwaysabout 9 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The Tenth Good Thing About Barney aloud?
About 9 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 812. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The Tenth Good Thing About Barney actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The Tenth Good Thing About Barney survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Can a beginning reader read The Tenth Good Thing About Barney on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does The Tenth Good Thing About Barney cover?
We tag it with pet death, cats, funerals and remembering. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
