The Best Good Thing

"Highly recommend! The Best Good Thing is just right for parents who want to both validate their kids' feelings and encourage them to see the good in the world. It can be tricky to hold both in mind (and implement as a parent), but Anna Housley Juster threads the needle just right."

-- Hunter Clarke-Fields, bestselling author of Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids

"Anna Housley Juster has a gift for translating the complexities of our emotions in a way for all of us, young and old, to understand. Once again, Juster has artfully woven an assortment of evidence-based practices from the psychology of well-being, such as gratitude recognition, social connections, and positive reframing, into a delightful narrative to help anyone get through a very bad day. One of the most important things we can teach our children is to understand that all of their emotions are important, even the smad ones that Juster compassionately identifies in her second book. In psychological terms, we may call that a reframe. In an Anna Housley Juster story, we see it in the form of a yellow flower. "

-- Amanda M. Marcotte, PhD, School Psychologist, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
"We've all had those 'smad' days when we feel mad and sad at the same time. The Best Good Thing gently meets children in those moments and shows them what to do next. Through a warm, relationship-centered story, Dr. Anna Housley Juster helps children see that while their feelings are real and valid, their brains can learn new ways of thinking that can shift how they feel. The story follows a young girl through a difficult day as, with the support of a caring adult, she begins to notice one good thing . . . and then another. Without dismissing big emotions, the book shows children that their thoughts can slowly shift—and when they do, their feelings can shift, too. The back matter is a true strength, offering clear, practical strategies and thoughtful questions that help extend the ideas in the book into everyday moments. It makes complex concepts, like how feelings shift and how we can build new ways of thinking, accessible for both children and adults. An invaluable resource for parents, educators and clinicians, this book is an essential addition to any library." -- Shannon Ayers, PhD - Director, Custom Solutions, Lakeshore Learning Materials
"Who hasn't had a very bad, smad day? This book not only validates those difficult moments, but also provides readers (e.g., youth, caretakers) with how to respond when these days occur. In The Best Good Thing, readers are invited through beautiful illustrations to notice positive, often overlooked, aspects of their days. At the end of the book, the author speaks directly to the reader and offers tools for youth, caretakers, educators, and clinicians to help youth foster flexible thinking and explore alternative perspectives. I highly recommend this book!" -- Maggie Cameron, MSW, LICSW, Child and Family Therapist

"The Best Good Thing is a delightfully helpful and well-illustrated book that realistically describes feelings and the challenges they can bring. From small things adding up a to very, very bad day to the challenges of finding one good thing, to finding something small and building on it, it is relatable and describes in language children can understand. Smad is my new favorite feeling word, as it perfectly describes the mix of sad and mad that are often intertwined, much like hangry. The strategy of looking for good things is so helpful as it can be done in most situations, alone or with others. The example that includes remembering someone sharing is a fantastic addition, since it includes something that is not just seen or experienced by the girl during her day. And reminding a child that they are a good thing in a caring adult's life is an excellent reminder for us all—that we are a good thing in the lives of other people! I can't wait to read this with students in my school, young and old."

-- Amy Reed, LICSW, School Adjustment Counselor/Social Wo