A Terrible Thing Happened is about a raccoon named Sherman who has witnessed a traumatic event. As a result, he experiences feelings of anger, fear, nervousness, upset stomach, and sleeplessness. Additionally, he begins to exhibit behavioral issues at school and is sent to see the school counselor, Ms. Maple. Sherman and Ms. Maple work together using traditional talk therapy and expressive arts techniques. Through their work, Sherman begins to express and understand his thoughts and feelings. His behavior improves and his sense of security and stability increases.

This children’s book can be used by counselors who are working with children who have witnessed violence or a traumatic event, including, but not limited to, domestic abuse, school violence, homicide, and natural disasters. This book is written in a way that allows children to project their experiences onto Sherman. Counselors may find this helpful as it can provide a starting point for talking about their client’s experiences. This book mentions that encouraging children to talk about what they have witnessed can reduce the likelihood that they themselves will perpetuate violent acts in the future. Additional resources are provided for counselors and parents that offer suggestions for helping children heal from experiencing trauma. These resources include a bibliography of additional publications on specific childhood traumatic events and tips for talking to children about trauma. This book may also provide children with a basic idea of what they can expect if they meet with a counselor. Counselors can recommend this book to parents and caregivers to help them learn positive ways to respond to children who have witnessed trauma. Overall, A Terrible Thing Happened can be a great resource for counselors who use bibliotherapy in their work with children. Learning about Sherman’s experiences can help normalize feelings and give children the language they need to communicate their own experience.