Something Sad Happened: Helping Children with Grief

“Darby has given us a great approach for ministering to grieving children. Reading Sunny's story introduces children to common reactions to loss and asks questions they might not be able to formulate on their own. And her final comments to caregivers offer more valuable insights about how to help little broken hearts in a Scripture-informed way. Thank you, Darby, for remembering our children.”

“As much as we'd like to protect our children from the effects of life in a fallen world, we can't. One day, someone they love will die, and their tiny hearts will experience tremendous grief. Thankfully, Darby Strickland's gentle and helpful book guides little ones (and their adults) through the deep waters of sorrow, leading them to the unshakeable truths of who our good and kind God is. This is a book you may hope you won't need, but you'll be very glad you have.”

“In this beautiful book, a seasoned counselor and mom gives parents and grandparents a tender aid to slow us down and help us listen and talk openly with our children about the pain of loss. Best of all, she points all of us to the comfort of God found ultimately in the promises of Jesus. I love this book!”

“When a loved one dies, knowing how to comfort children is not always intuitive. Darby's newest book provides both a resource for parents and a story that beautifully ministers to little hearts. Through Sunny's honest pain and the care she receives from her community, children hear it's ok to be sad, even as they learn to receive the comfort from the promises Jesus has made to them.”

“Loss cuts into our life and leaves us reeling. If it's true for us as adults, how much more so for children. Darby Strickland's new children's book, Something Sad Happened, helps children understand and express their grief. Through an engaging story, children will learn of God's love and care for them in the midst of their sorrows. Something Sad Happened is gentle and inviting, biblical and Christ-centered. It is a helpful and needed resource for parents of grieving children.”

“Mama doesn’t have easy answers to the suffering of grief. Instead, she embraces her daughter in her mourning and grieves together with hope in Jesus. True to form, Strickland refuses to leave parents without first offering an abundance of practical ideas to honor and remember their loved ones. Thank you for this gift, Darby.”

“In this sweet and tenderly worded book, Darby teaches children that it’s not only okay to express feelings of sadness and grief, but that they can bring them honestly to Jesus, who holds their tears and comforts them with his promises and presence. Grieving parents will likely find their own hearts encouraged in the process.”

“Guiding children through a significant loss is one of the heaviest responsibilities a caregiver can bear. Darby's book gently persuades little ones that God desires to be near to the broken hearted. This book will comfort each of you as you grieve together.”