Something Sad Happened: Helping Children with Grief

Darby A. Strickland, MDiv, is a faculty member and seasoned counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). She has written books for adults and kids on walking with God through both everyday life and hard times. She is the author of the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, Becoming You for Girls, and Becoming You for Boys. She loves helping families grow in God’s wisdom and care for one another. Darby and her husband, John, have three children. 

The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) has been teaching people how to understand the wisdom and depth of the Bible and apply its grace-centered message to the problems of daily living since 1968. A biblical counseling and educational ministry located in suburban Philadelphia, CCEF operates a robust biblical counseling ministry in their home office as well as on-site training for others with a heart for discipleship. CCEF also teaches several accredited counseling programs both on-site and through distance learning in conjunction with Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. As an extension of the local church, CCEF accomplishes its mission through a unique synergy of counseling, training, publications, and conferences.

Carlotta Notaro is an Italian illustrator and animator. Sometimes she draws for kids, other times she draws for grown-ups, and occasionally she makes little animations for herself. Somehow, one of her animations ended up on a giant screen in Hong Kong. When not drawing, she enjoys long walks with her favorite music, upcycling old stuff, and petting her dog Molly for way too long.

“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.”

Jeff Forrey, Senior Writer/Content Developer, GriefShare.org

“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.”

Megan Hill, Managing Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author of Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts; pastor's wife and pastor's daughter, mother of four

“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!”

Paul Tautges, Pastor; counselor; author of several books, including A Small Book for the Hurting Heart, Remade, and Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace

“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.”

Lauren Whitman, Faculty & Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); author of When Parents Feel Like Failures and A Painful Past 

“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.”

Christina Fox, Author of Tell God How You Feel and The Great Big Sad: Finding Comfort in Grief and Loss

“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.”

Aaron Sironi, Faculty & Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)

“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.” 

Sarah Walton∫ Author of The Long Road Home; coauthor of Hope When It Hurts 

“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.”

Jenny Solomon, Cofounder of Solomon SoulCare; author of Reclaim Your Marriage