A Terrible Thing Happened

A gentle story to help children talk about difficult feelings after a traumatic or confusing event 

Some experiences are hard to talk about, especially for children. A Terrible Thing Happened is a comforting picture book that helps kids make sense of big emotions after something upsetting has happened. Without naming the event, the story follows Sherman, a young raccoon who begins to feel worried, angry, and confused. With patience, comfort, and support, Sherman learns that talking about his feelings can help him start to feel better. 

Thoughtfully written and illustrated by child development specialists, this book gives families, caregivers, and educators a reassuring way to open conversations about big emotions. It validates children’s feelings, shows that all emotions are welcome, and reminds them they are safe, cared for, and never alone. This beautiful story helps children understand that healing begins when we share how we feel. 

Key features:

• supports emotional processing: helps children ages 4-8 recognize and express feelings like sadness, worry, and anger after a difficult or confusing experience
• sensitive, universal storytelling: the upsetting event is never described, so the book can be used in many different situations without adding distress
• guidance for adults included: features a supportive note with simple, practical suggestions to help grown-ups talk about feelings in a caring and age-appropriate way
• ideal for emotional learning and healing: encourages coping skills, resilience, and emotional understanding; perfect for home, school, or counseling settings
• trusted publisher: from Magination Press, the children’s imprint of APA, experts in child development and well-being

Margaret M. Holmes writes inspirational and self-help stories for children for over 20 years. In addition to A Terrible Thing Happened, she is the author of Molly's Mom Died, Sam's Dad Died, and Charlie's Brother (a story for the siblings of a child with special needs who is being admitted to residential care). She lives near Des Moines, IA.

Cary Pillo, a Fine Arts and Design graduate from Washington State University, has illustrated many children’s educational materials and children's books, including A Terrible Thing Happened,Gentle Willow, Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants, and Tibby Tried It. She lives in Seattle, WA.

Sasha J. Mudlaff, MA is a third generation owner/employee of her family’s business, Hamilton’s Funeral Home, in Des Moines, IA, currently serving as the company’s vice president.  Sasha is also the founder and Grief Consultant for Hamilton’s Academy of Grief & Loss, where she specializes in working with grieving children and teens, having done so for over 25 years.

An unqualified success. These illustrations serve the text extremely well, adding welcome touches of humor to the exposition of this very serious subject.
—Booklist

The book also contains 15 incredibly helpful tips for parents and caregivers on how to help a child process a traumatic event. For the unfortunate situation where a child needs to work through a trauma—witnessing a car accident, fire or tornado, or violence, assault or suicide—this book is a great resource. Reading about Sherman can help a child feel less alone, and the suggestions in the afterword can guide adults into helping a child move through the grief.
—Momentous Institute