Families who loved Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is stuck in a cycle of 'grumpiness' or having a hard time finding the silver lining after a disappointment. It is a perfect tool for children who tend toward pessimism or struggle with emotional regulation when plans change unexpectedly. Through the simple, repeating refrain of 'Good news!' and 'Bad news!', the story follows a bunny and a mouse as they navigate a picnic plagued by rain, bees, and mishaps. While the text is incredibly minimal, the emotional weight is significant. It teaches children that two people can experience the exact same event and feel completely different ways about it. It is ideal for preschoolers and early elementary students, offering a humorous way to discuss perspective, empathy, and the resilience needed to keep going when things go wrong. Parents will appreciate how it models that even the most optimistic person has a breaking point, making it a grounded, realistic look at friendship and temperament.