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Something Good
In need of a bad day remedy? One girl’s terrible day takes an unexpected—and extraordinary—turn when she comes upon a pair of magic socks.
Blah. Nothing good ever happens to me.
This morning a little girl wakes up with a chicken on her head. (Ouch.) Then she finds worms in her cereal (after she’s had a few bites—yuck!). Then she realizes, too late, that her boots are full of mud. Ack! Then her best friend ignores her, a big hole appears where it wasn’t yesterday, and it starts to rain—cold rain, of course. Could this day get any worse? When a mysterious gift shows up out of nowhere, wrapped in a bow, the girl dares to wonder if it could finally be something good. Get ready for a high-flying tale as the beloved creator of Wild Honey from the Moon brings his signature deadpan humor, quirky charm, and appealingly simple text to a fantastical adventure sure to turn even the worst days around.
Blah. Nothing good ever happens to me.
This morning a little girl wakes up with a chicken on her head. (Ouch.) Then she finds worms in her cereal (after she’s had a few bites—yuck!). Then she realizes, too late, that her boots are full of mud. Ack! Then her best friend ignores her, a big hole appears where it wasn’t yesterday, and it starts to rain—cold rain, of course. Could this day get any worse? When a mysterious gift shows up out of nowhere, wrapped in a bow, the girl dares to wonder if it could finally be something good. Get ready for a high-flying tale as the beloved creator of Wild Honey from the Moon brings his signature deadpan humor, quirky charm, and appealingly simple text to a fantastical adventure sure to turn even the worst days around.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Kraegel
9 books19 followersKenneth Kraegel is a self-taught illustrator and writer. He was a CJ Picture Book Award Finalist and is a recipient of a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Tomie dePaola Honor Award. Kenneth Kraegel lives with his wife and son in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gardening.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 17, 2025
Charming book- made me think of "A No Good Very Bad Day" vibe. A young girl wakes up with a chicken on her head and has something bad keep happening. Her days seems pretty bad until she finds a gift and even when she opens it, she isn't excited with the gift until she puts them on and discovers the gift was something good. What I liked about the book is that fact that she went back through her very bad day and could see how each thing might have been good if you looked at it another way. And of course, for her and her friend to give her special gift away to someone they can see might need it is another lesson to share. I can see how this book could be used in an elementary setting. Students could write about a bad day and then have it end better. Discussions could be had about how we can help others. With so much teen suicide and mental health problems, it is a charming book to help people see that maybe life can be better.
August 4, 2025
I absolutely love this cute book. It's about a little girl whose glass isn't half full or half empty. It is totally empty as one "bad thing" after another happens to her. In short, life as she experiences - or perceives it - is devoid of anything good and just bad things happen to her.
Until.....
She happens across a little gift box for her. Good! But alas not so good after all. Inside are socks and again she perceives this as a bad thing. That is until she gets chilled and puts them on her feet. Then the good begins to explode around her. And then she finds her friend and shares a sock with her friend who, too, is cold.
Good shared is amazingly wonderful.
I love this sweet book for it's cuteness, it's genuine take on human emotion, and its joyous application of goodness shared in the human experience.
I highly recommend.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Until.....
She happens across a little gift box for her. Good! But alas not so good after all. Inside are socks and again she perceives this as a bad thing. That is until she gets chilled and puts them on her feet. Then the good begins to explode around her. And then she finds her friend and shares a sock with her friend who, too, is cold.
Good shared is amazingly wonderful.
I love this sweet book for it's cuteness, it's genuine take on human emotion, and its joyous application of goodness shared in the human experience.
I highly recommend.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
March 6, 2025
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
A little girl is having a bad day. She wakes up with chicken in her room and on her bed, has worms in her cereal, and finds her boots filled with mud. She’s convinced that nothing good ever happens to her, especially when her best friend Zoe ignores her. She falls down a hole, and is trapped there when a mastodon falls asleep on top of the entrance and she can’t get out. Emerging from the hole, smelling of mastodon, she gest caught in the rain, and trips over a package. Could this finally be something good in her day? It doesn’t seem to be, since it is just a pair of socks, which she doesn’t wear. This is a HORRIBLE day. When the rain starts up again, the little girl is so cold that she puts on the socks for warmth, only to find that they are magical socks that allow her to fly. Zoe joins her, and the two enjoy flying with the help of the socks until they find someone who needs joy in his life more than they do. In the tradition of Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day or Natalia Shaloshvili’s Pavlo Gets the Grumps, this shows a horrible day that just keeps getting worse. Of course, many days are like that even when our boots AREN’T filled with mud, but the bad occurrences in this are just goofy enough that young readers will giggle at things like a mastodon trapping the little girl in a hole.
The illustrations have a very 1970s feel to them, echoing Maurice Sendak a bit from time to time. There are lots of visual jokes, like the chickens coming in the girl’s window, and the mud gushing out of her boots. The scenes where the girl and Zoe are flying lightent the book tremendously with the joy shown in the pictures.
Readers who enjoyed Light’s Mermaid Lullaby and Wild Honey From the Moon will be eager to see this new title from a unique artist.
I was not a fan of this personally; I didn't enjoy the illustration style, and the girl's attitude wasn't great. I don't want to encourage young readers in my care to have a "blah, my life is horrible" attitude. Maybe shut the window so chickens don't get in, and take care that ... worms don't get in your cereal or you at least check your bowl before you eat?
A little girl is having a bad day. She wakes up with chicken in her room and on her bed, has worms in her cereal, and finds her boots filled with mud. She’s convinced that nothing good ever happens to her, especially when her best friend Zoe ignores her. She falls down a hole, and is trapped there when a mastodon falls asleep on top of the entrance and she can’t get out. Emerging from the hole, smelling of mastodon, she gest caught in the rain, and trips over a package. Could this finally be something good in her day? It doesn’t seem to be, since it is just a pair of socks, which she doesn’t wear. This is a HORRIBLE day. When the rain starts up again, the little girl is so cold that she puts on the socks for warmth, only to find that they are magical socks that allow her to fly. Zoe joins her, and the two enjoy flying with the help of the socks until they find someone who needs joy in his life more than they do. In the tradition of Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day or Natalia Shaloshvili’s Pavlo Gets the Grumps, this shows a horrible day that just keeps getting worse. Of course, many days are like that even when our boots AREN’T filled with mud, but the bad occurrences in this are just goofy enough that young readers will giggle at things like a mastodon trapping the little girl in a hole.
The illustrations have a very 1970s feel to them, echoing Maurice Sendak a bit from time to time. There are lots of visual jokes, like the chickens coming in the girl’s window, and the mud gushing out of her boots. The scenes where the girl and Zoe are flying lightent the book tremendously with the joy shown in the pictures.
Readers who enjoyed Light’s Mermaid Lullaby and Wild Honey From the Moon will be eager to see this new title from a unique artist.
I was not a fan of this personally; I didn't enjoy the illustration style, and the girl's attitude wasn't great. I don't want to encourage young readers in my care to have a "blah, my life is horrible" attitude. Maybe shut the window so chickens don't get in, and take care that ... worms don't get in your cereal or you at least check your bowl before you eat?
July 30, 2025
A young girl is having a bad day, with one unpleasant thing after another happening. First, she woke up with a chicken on her head. Other bizarre mishaps followed, from finding worms in her breakfast cereal to falling into a hole after which a hairy mastodon (“I thought they were supposed other be extinct”) decided to take a nap right on top of it, preventing her escape until the mastodon woke up.
On the unfortunate occurrences went, including perhaps the worst: being ignored by a friend. But then the girl stumbled over a mysterious gift that turned out to be magic socks; they made everything good again! And yet, as she discovered, nothing was really different at all; it was all a matter of interpretation and perspective, and of giving the benefit of the doubt to those we fear are rejecting us. Maybe your friend is not ignoring you but just distracted, like Zoe in this book, who was just looking at a bird. . . .
Parents and teachers reading this book may be reminded of reading “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” the 1972 book by Judith Viorst that was so popular. Because who doesn’t have bad days? But this charming story demonstrates that sometimes, there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.
Child-friendly, humorous illustrations by the author are rendered in colored pencil, gouache, and ink.
Very young kids will enjoy the story, which would make an excellent choice for storytime reading and discussion.
Rating: 3.5/5
On the unfortunate occurrences went, including perhaps the worst: being ignored by a friend. But then the girl stumbled over a mysterious gift that turned out to be magic socks; they made everything good again! And yet, as she discovered, nothing was really different at all; it was all a matter of interpretation and perspective, and of giving the benefit of the doubt to those we fear are rejecting us. Maybe your friend is not ignoring you but just distracted, like Zoe in this book, who was just looking at a bird. . . .
Parents and teachers reading this book may be reminded of reading “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” the 1972 book by Judith Viorst that was so popular. Because who doesn’t have bad days? But this charming story demonstrates that sometimes, there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.
Child-friendly, humorous illustrations by the author are rendered in colored pencil, gouache, and ink.
Very young kids will enjoy the story, which would make an excellent choice for storytime reading and discussion.
Rating: 3.5/5
June 23, 2025
Similar to poor Alexander and his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, author Kenneth Kraegel’s little girl just keeps hoping for something good to happen, but between chickens pecking her awake, worms in her half-eaten cereal, and a mastodon taking a nap over the opening to the hole she fell into, nothing good is on her radar until she trips over a box of socks. But these are not ordinary socks, these feet warmers allow her fly! But flying is twice as much fun with a friend so, nabbing her best friend Zoe and sharing a sock, the duo takes off making this a something good day.
Sweet story filled with imagination and the exaggeration only a grumpy child can create to support her claim that nothing good ever happens to her. Readers and caregivers are sure to chuckle a little, over-inflate their own not-good days and when the flying duo decides to share their flying socks with another child who feels like the rain is only coming down on him, maybe there will also be some conversation about being sensitive to the feelings of others and how to help unhappy classmates, family and more feel like they are flying, too.
Wonderful picture book, recommended for ages 2 through grade 2.
Thanks for sharing a finished copy of this one, Candlewick Press!
Sweet story filled with imagination and the exaggeration only a grumpy child can create to support her claim that nothing good ever happens to her. Readers and caregivers are sure to chuckle a little, over-inflate their own not-good days and when the flying duo decides to share their flying socks with another child who feels like the rain is only coming down on him, maybe there will also be some conversation about being sensitive to the feelings of others and how to help unhappy classmates, family and more feel like they are flying, too.
Wonderful picture book, recommended for ages 2 through grade 2.
Thanks for sharing a finished copy of this one, Candlewick Press!
March 11, 2025
The narrator in this picture book is having one of THOSE days. You know the kind--the ones in which nothing goes right and even the smallest experiences are disappointing. But her day turns around when she stumbles over a small present. And what a present it turns out to be. For those individuals who disdain socks, this story contains delightful surprises and a bit of magic. Parts of the plot are unbelievable--a hairy mastodon, right?--and it could be that things weren't as terrible as the girl originally thought, but what is true is how eye-pleasing the artwork, created with watercolor, gouache, and ink, is. It's so clean, crisp, and uncluttered, and that dark cloud of misery that hangs over someone near the end concludes the story perfectly. And all it takes is a pair of special socks.
June 12, 2025
Something Good is the sweetest, most true book I’ve read in a while. So much is said and shown in its concise simple language and vibrant illustrations. I especially like seeing examples of the universal assumptions that often occur between people in their day-to-day relationships. Although the youngest of audiences will find much to relate to and enjoy in this book, it’s really a nice read for any age, especially those who might be feeling down. All wraps up with a lovely pay-it-forward ending.
March 24, 2025
In the midst of a really bad day, this young girl finds a special present that allows her to fly. Readers see all the bad things that happened and can draw their own conclusions from the illustrations. I love that she shares the special gift with her friend and then the two decide to pass them on to someone else who needs to be supported. Terrific for starting dialogue on emotions and how they affect our days.
May 17, 2025
A girl having a very bad day unexpectedly discovers a package containing a magical gift.
The beginning of this book is reminiscent of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
The illustrations were done in watercolor, gouache, and ink.
The beginning of this book is reminiscent of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
The illustrations were done in watercolor, gouache, and ink.
September 22, 2025
A girl is having a bad day until she stumbles upon a gift that changes the whole trajectory of her life. She pays her good fortune forward by sharing it with others. The depiction of her impoverishment and personal hygiene seems a bit overdone, though, especially the analogy with the wooly mammoth. Weird illustrations would suggest that the girl lives alone in a shack in a time period that shifts between the Pleistocene Epoch and the late Anthropocene.
March 1, 2025
A story about a child waking and having a very bad day. When she walks around bad things happen to her, including a mastodon sitting atop a hole she falls into. After a series of things go wrong she finds
something good but doesn't realize it until she needs the item. Then magically something good takes place. Lots of fantasy but the message is clear something good happens to the m.c.
something good but doesn't realize it until she needs the item. Then magically something good takes place. Lots of fantasy but the message is clear something good happens to the m.c.
April 29, 2025
What I appreciate about this book is the friendship. The narrator says her friend ignores her but it’s clear to the reader that her friend is looking at a bird. This misunderstanding happens frequently in childhood and I like how it’s portrayed her. Certainly a silly book and she doesn’t come across as bratty, just a day where nothing goes right, and also explores empathy and friendship.
August 29, 2025
Our girl is having a bad day. Even THE Bad Day, with caps.
But then, she finds something good.... and someone great to share it with.
And then all is great!
A beautiful story to learn perspective to children.
Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
But then, she finds something good.... and someone great to share it with.
And then all is great!
A beautiful story to learn perspective to children.
Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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March 10, 2025Oh I loved it! A whimsical story about a no-good-very-bad-day that gets turned around when the main character finds a pair of magical socks and shares them with their friend.
Themes: Grumpy, Socks, Sharing
Age range: Toddler-Preschool
Themes: Grumpy, Socks, Sharing
Age range: Toddler-Preschool
June 20, 2025
A young child wakes up to a chicken on its head, worms in its cereal and mud in its boots. And the day doesn't seem to improve. When a gift of wet socks turns out to be not what it appears, the day may just look up.
Weird book about a kid who's having a rough day.
Weird book about a kid who's having a rough day.
February 17, 2025
Good for the grumps
February 25, 2025
Heartwarming sekaliiii
March 12, 2025
I loved it! Wonderful story with engaging, truly original illustrations. A perfect story time selection!
March 13, 2025
Loved the magic socks - oops, is that a spoiler?? Happy read for sure ♥
April 6, 2025
A delight! I want some magic socks to share with friends, too.
June 3, 2025
really good. lots of laughing about all the decidedly NOT good things that happen, and then YAY! MAGIC SOCKS!
September 25, 2025
Special book. Video of me reading it for my so called adult kids 🥰 and nephew and others 😎. Anyone else do that?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews