Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous for no reason. Sometimes his stomach hurt. He had bad dreams. And he started to feel angry and do mean things, which got hi m in trouble. Then he met Ms. Maple, who helped him talk about the ter rible thing that he had tried to forget. Now Sherman is feeling much b etter. This gently told and tenderly illustrated story is for childre n who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode, includi ng physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suici de, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. An afterword by Sash a J. Mudlaff written for parents and other caregivers offers extensive suggestions for helping traumatized children, including a list of oth er sources that focus on specific events.

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.