Something Scary Happened (Comfort for Children in Hard Times)

“With gentle words and engaging illustrations, Miles the lamb and Psalm 23 will help your child bring those hard-to-speak, scary feelings to both you and to Jesus.”

“I wish there were a hundred books like this. Kids who go through pain or trauma need simple, vivid hope they can see and cling to. Something Scary Happened does exactly that. It takes seriously that deeply harmful things happen and yet teaches that we can run to the true refuge as we struggle: a Shepherd who will hold onto us.”

“Through the story of Miles the sheep, Darby Strickland provides parents and caregivers a means to safely speak with children about their own scary situations and, more importantly, connect them to the Good Shepherd, who is always with them. Something Scary Happened is a precious gift to our children especially those who have experienced trauma, harm, or fear.”

“n our broken world, trauma and suffering are not only experienced by adults. In Darby’s latest resource, she compassionately takes hurting children to the truest and most stable source of comfort they can find—the Good Shepherd. Don’t let the idea of a children’s book fool you—rich, biblical theology flows from page to page as children are brought close to the Lord in the midst of their scary and hard things. I know I’ll be reading this with my family, and I trust you will as well.”

“This beautiful book gently helps little ones who have faced a traumatic event learn not just that their reactions make sense, but more importantly, that they have a Good Shepherd who deeply loves them and will never let them go. May God use it for healing wounded little ones he so deeply cares about.”

“Reading books to children is such a formative time. Neither parent nor child will ever forget those sweet moments. In Something Scary Happened, Darby Strickland teaches children to put their fears into words that become prayers as they find comfort in the Good Shepherd, and parents to become ambassadors of God's comfort to their children. You and your child will love story time infused with such practical, gospel-saturated life skills.”

“How do we in this generation ‘speak up for those who have no voice . . . and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy’ (Proverbs 31:8–9)? In her comforting book, Something Scary Happened,Darby Strickland brings to light the unspoken challenges trauma sufferers often face. This book helps children and adults understand how trauma can express itself and explains how the pathway to healing and understanding can begin in reconnecting with the Good Shepherd, whose promises bring stability, hope, and peace in the midst of pain.”

“In this tender resource, Darby seamlessly weaves timeless gospel comforts with age-appropriate biblical counsel. This book not only helps children to express the pain and confusion that so often arises in the wake of traumatic events, but gently guides them to talk to Jesus when they feel anxious, angry, or alone.”

“Something Scary Happened is a gift to those struggling to help children impacted by trauma. In my work with abused women, I have often bemoaned the lack of resources for their children, but this book is a game-changer! I believe it will help both children and their parents process trauma together, bring healing by strengthening parent/child bonds, and help them recognize the hope and help available to those who belong to our Good Shepherd.”

“We love how Something Scary Happened points children and their caregivers to the Good Shepherd who is always with them and whose love is ‘stronger than any scary thing.’ This sweet meditation on Psalm 23 and John 10 is comforting, practical, and full of hope. Highly recommend!”