A Terrible Thing Happened

By Margaret M. Holmes
Illustrated by Cary Pillo

A Terrible Thing Happened follows Sherman, a young raccoon who experiences worry, anger, bad dreams, and other difficult feelings after witnessing something upsetting. The traumatic event itself is never identified, allowing children with many different experiences to relate to the story without introducing potentially distressing details.

With the support of a caring adult, Sherman begins talking about what happened and learns that expressing his feelings can help him begin to feel better. The book provides a gentle way for children and caregivers to start conversations about trauma, emotional reactions, and healing, and includes additional guidance for adults supporting children after difficult experiences.