The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (1971)

In this book, the main character's cat dies. He is distraught. His mother asks him to think of ten good things about Barney, his dead cat. He can only come up with nine until he and his father talk about how Barney will become part of the earth and help the flowers grow.
This book was sweet but a little odd. The mother lacked empathy I think. I like the idea of looking at death as a sort of changing of states, and I liked how the author talked about the cat becoming part of the natural world around them. The illustrations were also beautiful. But maybe it's a realistic portrayal of grief, maybe the mother is missing the cat as well and needs some cheering up. ( )

The story about a boy whose cat died. He was very sad. His mother suggested thinking of ten good things about Barney, but the boy could only think of nine - until later he discovers the tenth and begins to understand.

This heartfelt book is about a boy that is trying to make sense of his cat, Barney's death. His mother suggested coming up with a list of ten good things about Barney to tell him, but he could only come up with nine, until his Dad helps him understand death, then he figures out the tenth good thing.
Ages: 6-9 (I honestly feel like it is more like 4-11)
Source: My Classroom Library

His cat Barney died. He was beyond sad because he wasn't gong to be able to see Barney again. His mother told him they would have a funeral in the morning for Barney. His neighbor came over and brought flowers. They burred Barney under a tree in the yard. The little neighbor girl shared Barney was in heaven and he said no he's in the ground. When he asked his dad. He said he wasn't sure. But helped him process what he felt by having him make up his own idea of where is beloved cat went.

Age 3-5
Source Barnes and Noble

the families pet cat died and the family is coming together to give him a funeral. The mother asks her child to think of ten different thing that reminds her of Barney.