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Finding the Sunny Side: Musings for My Grandchildren
Let’s talk “hypotheticals.”
You’re a parent, grandparent, or mentor, and you want to have an engaging conversation with the young adults in your life. You want fun and thoughtful, with a hint of positivity.
They don’t like to talk much.
What do you do?
Pick any one of these short pieces for a non-personal, but still personal conversation.
Why are weeds important?
Why does it matter how I make my bed?
When is “good” good enough?
What does it mean to float like a butterfly?
When do we say, “So what?”
When is floating like a butterfly the right approach?
Finding the Sunny Side is designed to help us engage tapas-style, in small bits and in the most natural of ways.
Discovery, common ground, and honest conversation happen naturally.
You’re a parent, grandparent, or mentor, and you want to have an engaging conversation with the young adults in your life. You want fun and thoughtful, with a hint of positivity.
They don’t like to talk much.
What do you do?
Pick any one of these short pieces for a non-personal, but still personal conversation.
Why are weeds important?
Why does it matter how I make my bed?
When is “good” good enough?
What does it mean to float like a butterfly?
When do we say, “So what?”
When is floating like a butterfly the right approach?
Finding the Sunny Side is designed to help us engage tapas-style, in small bits and in the most natural of ways.
Discovery, common ground, and honest conversation happen naturally.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 23, 2026
Though I have always considered myself a realist, some have labeled me a cynic. But an optimist? Never. So, when I saw the title of Jill Ebstein’s book Finding the Sunny Side and saw the big golden sun on its cover, I was skeptical. I thought the book might be a Pollyanna pandering to those who want to remain blind to the harsh realities of our world.
I was wrong.
In Finding the Sunny Side, which Ebstein characterizes as “Musings for My Grandchildren,” I heard the voice of someone whose insistence on accentuating the positive is grounded in real-world good sense. Consisting of 28 “musings” and four added “tidbits,” the book offers practical wisdom to Ebstein’s grandchildren, yes, but it is clearly written for us, her readers, as well.
I’m a convert. Ebstein’s book inspires me to feel grateful for my considerable blessings, look at obstacles as opportunities for growth, acknowledge the value of family and friends, and appreciate the details of the world around me and of my experiences.
As I read the book, I gathered a few of my favorite gems from its chapters.
• The potential grandeur of a simple act is my meta-lesson. The second part of the lesson is we should be open to new experiences at every age. The world is rich in its grandeur, and if we are smart, we will grow and absorb a lifetime’s worth of beauty.
• Can we train ourselves to see luck on our side? During downtimes, can we reframe a loss so that we remember a glorious moment? Maybe “lucky” is just another word for gratitude.
• Laughter helps everything. It’s a muscle that we need to keep in shape. That means we need to use it. The key to a long laugh is paying attention to the details. That’s where humor hangs out—in odd, disjointed places.
Ebstein speculates that “whoever reads my book will most likely be happy they did.”
She’s absolutely right. I am.
I was wrong.
In Finding the Sunny Side, which Ebstein characterizes as “Musings for My Grandchildren,” I heard the voice of someone whose insistence on accentuating the positive is grounded in real-world good sense. Consisting of 28 “musings” and four added “tidbits,” the book offers practical wisdom to Ebstein’s grandchildren, yes, but it is clearly written for us, her readers, as well.
I’m a convert. Ebstein’s book inspires me to feel grateful for my considerable blessings, look at obstacles as opportunities for growth, acknowledge the value of family and friends, and appreciate the details of the world around me and of my experiences.
As I read the book, I gathered a few of my favorite gems from its chapters.
• The potential grandeur of a simple act is my meta-lesson. The second part of the lesson is we should be open to new experiences at every age. The world is rich in its grandeur, and if we are smart, we will grow and absorb a lifetime’s worth of beauty.
• Can we train ourselves to see luck on our side? During downtimes, can we reframe a loss so that we remember a glorious moment? Maybe “lucky” is just another word for gratitude.
• Laughter helps everything. It’s a muscle that we need to keep in shape. That means we need to use it. The key to a long laugh is paying attention to the details. That’s where humor hangs out—in odd, disjointed places.
Ebstein speculates that “whoever reads my book will most likely be happy they did.”
She’s absolutely right. I am.
April 28, 2026
picked up Finding the Sunny Side knowing it was written for the author’s grandchildren, but as I read, it kept feeling like it was speaking directly to me. There were moments where I wondered if I was part of the intended audience after all. Ebstein has a way of gently pulling you out of that constant pressure—something I didn’t realize how much I needed until I felt it happening.
I’ve caught myself using her question, “So what?” more often, and it’s been surprisingly grounding. Not everything deserves the weight I tend to give it. And when things feel heavy or a little dark, I think about her idea of looking at the weeds differently. That shift in perspective has stuck with me. I’m starting to see that those messier, harder moments might actually be where something meaningful takes root. It makes me wonder if my family and I can learn to appreciate those “weeds” a little more.
The ending stayed with me too—especially her reminder about choosing friends who can really go the distance. It’s such a simple idea, but it landed in a deeper way than I expected. I already “knew” that, like a lot of what she writes, but there’s something about her stories that makes those truths feel more real and harder to brush off.
I’m planning to share parts of this book with my kids, who are in their twenties now. I like the idea of bringing some of these reflections to the dinner table and seeing where the conversations go. It feels like the kind of book that doesn’t just sit with you—it opens something up between you and the people you care about.
I’ve caught myself using her question, “So what?” more often, and it’s been surprisingly grounding. Not everything deserves the weight I tend to give it. And when things feel heavy or a little dark, I think about her idea of looking at the weeds differently. That shift in perspective has stuck with me. I’m starting to see that those messier, harder moments might actually be where something meaningful takes root. It makes me wonder if my family and I can learn to appreciate those “weeds” a little more.
The ending stayed with me too—especially her reminder about choosing friends who can really go the distance. It’s such a simple idea, but it landed in a deeper way than I expected. I already “knew” that, like a lot of what she writes, but there’s something about her stories that makes those truths feel more real and harder to brush off.
I’m planning to share parts of this book with my kids, who are in their twenties now. I like the idea of bringing some of these reflections to the dinner table and seeing where the conversations go. It feels like the kind of book that doesn’t just sit with you—it opens something up between you and the people you care about.
May 11, 2026
This easy-to-read book works as a friendly guide for life. Its strength is that it speaks to people of all ages, from young adults just starting out to seniors looking back on their journey. Instead of being overly complicated, Ebstein takes big life lessons and turns them into simple, cheering stories. She reminds us that being positive isn't just something you're born with—it’s a choice we can all make every day to feel a little better.
What makes this book special is how it connects with everyone, no matter where they are in life. Whether you are dealing with stress at a job, trying to get along better with friends, or just looking for a reason to smile, you’ll see yourself in these pages. Ebstein writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re part of a bigger community, showing that we all want the same thing: a bit more light in our lives. Sunny Side is more than a collection of essays; it’s a shared path toward being more thankful that leaves every reader feeling more plugged into the world around them.
What makes this book special is how it connects with everyone, no matter where they are in life. Whether you are dealing with stress at a job, trying to get along better with friends, or just looking for a reason to smile, you’ll see yourself in these pages. Ebstein writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re part of a bigger community, showing that we all want the same thing: a bit more light in our lives. Sunny Side is more than a collection of essays; it’s a shared path toward being more thankful that leaves every reader feeling more plugged into the world around them.
May 29, 2026
The Sunny Side
I won this kindle edition on goodreads however even though I won it,
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It has become an inspiration for me to look at things with new eyes.
The world is tough and as we become older or aging it becomes more challenging.
I felt this book can encourage us to bond with our family and or community in subtle ways just by changing our attitudes, outlook or words.
Say it differently.
I appreciated the title and the encouraging positive information it contains.
A very uplifting read when we need a little help to pull ourselves up and others around us too.
I won this kindle edition on goodreads however even though I won it,
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It has become an inspiration for me to look at things with new eyes.
The world is tough and as we become older or aging it becomes more challenging.
I felt this book can encourage us to bond with our family and or community in subtle ways just by changing our attitudes, outlook or words.
Say it differently.
I appreciated the title and the encouraging positive information it contains.
A very uplifting read when we need a little help to pull ourselves up and others around us too.
April 22, 2026
A lovely book that shares stories about finding the bright side in life (even when times are hard) and life lessons to help pave the way to meaningful conversations with the young people in your life. You can read the book from front to back or pick a chapter that appeals to you and start there. If you're looking to have conversations and share family stories with your children and young adults this is a perfect place to look for inspiration.
April 22, 2026
What a joy to read these hidden treasures of tales that The author shares. Great life lessons through fun stories with powerful metaphors that will beg the reader to find out what's next. Great to read to the whole family--even young ones. The perfect book for dinner conversation! For the sports loving Ebstein, its touchdown!
April 21, 2026
Great book. I love the idea of giving life advice to our grandchildren!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews