“A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M. Holmes

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. – from “A Terrible Thing Happened”

Research has shown that children who have witnessed violence or trauma (known as “secondary victims”) are actually affected as strongly or worse than the primary victims. Children who have experienced trauma or witnessed violent deaths — like those present at the Aurora theater shootings last month — can be helped by talking to a parent, teacher, or other adult about their experience. Through A Terrible Thing Happened, Margaret M. Holmes shares the story of Sherman Smith, who has witnessed “a terrible thing”. The story, accompanied by poignant illustrations by Cary Pillo, explains the types of emotions kids face after a traumatic event and the ways they can find help.

Sherman tries to keep his experience to himself, but the emotions boil up so badly that he becomes sick, depressed, and anxious.

When he talks to a grown-up at school, Ms. Maple, he’s finally able to share his feelings.

Ms. Maple helps Sherman cope with his feelings through their conversations and exercises like drawing his emotions.

A Terrible Thing Happened helps kids understand that these events are not their fault, that they can talk to adults about them, and that their feelings are normal. An afterword for parents and caregivers offers more in-depth information and suggestions for adults to help traumatized children, including a list of resources to help with specific experiences.

Have you worked with children who have experienced trauma or witnessed violence? What have you learned from the experiences?

• To learn more read our interview with Carolyn Lunsford Mears, who serves as dissertation advisor and adjunct faculty at the University of Denver and is a member of the school’s Advisory Board of the Trauma Certification Program. Her son was a student at Columbine High School in Colorado, where a horrifying mass shooting claimed the lives of 12 students and 1 teacher. Her son survived by hiding in a closet in the cafeteria.