★★★★☆ 4.8 out of 5 — from over 1,670 Amazon ratings

After Sherman Smith witnesses something frightening, he tries hard to forget it. Before long he starts having bad dreams, stomachaches, angry feelings, and trouble understanding his own behavior. A caring adult named Ms. Maple gives him a safe place to talk about what happened and helps him see that his reactions make sense.

The book never identifies the event Sherman witnessed, so families can use it across many difficult circumstances without adding unnecessary detail. Margaret M. Holmes offers children a gentle introduction to trauma responses, trusted adults, and asking for help. Best read with a supportive caregiver or professional, as a way into conversations about body signals, confusing emotions, and what to do when an experience feels too big to carry alone.